# oblige

/əˈbɫaɪdʒ/ (US) · /əblˈaɪdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/oblige
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to force or require

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to force someone to do something because of a law, a rule, or a duty.

For teachers: to constrain someone by legal, moral, or social necessity. Often used in the passive voice.

- The new law will oblige all companies to report their carbon emissions.
- The terms of the contract oblige the tenant to maintain the garden to a professional standard throughout the lease period.

Usage: Commonly appears in the passive form 'be obliged to do something'.

### 2. to do a favour

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to help someone by doing what they have asked you to do.

For teachers: to perform a service or favour for someone, often in response to a request.

- The shopkeeper was happy to oblige when I asked for a smaller bag.
- When the diplomat requested a private audience, the ministry was more than happy to oblige to ensure the negotiations continued smoothly.

Usage: Can be used intransitively, as in 'happy to oblige'.

### 3. to make someone feel grateful

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

to make someone feel that they owe you thanks for a favour.

For teachers: to place someone under a debt of gratitude for a service rendered.

- I am much obliged to you for your help with these heavy bags.
- The professor noted that he was deeply obliged to his colleagues for their insightful critiques of his early drafts.

Usage: Most common in the polite formulaic expression 'much obliged'.

## Examples

- The law obliges parents to send their children to school.
- The contract obliges the company to provide health insurance for all full-time employees starting next month.
- While the treaty does not strictly oblige member states to intervene militarily, it creates a strong diplomatic expectation that they will offer logistical support during a crisis.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.