Word
obliging
Phoneticsoblig·ing
US/əˈbɫaɪdʒɪŋ/
UK/əblˈaɪdʒɪŋ/
Definition
adj. willing to help other people in a kind way. You use it for someone who happily does what you ask.
adj. willing to do favours for others; marked by a ready desire to help. Often used to describe people or their behaviour.
Examples
“She is obliging and always helps her neighbours.”
“The obliging receptionist prints our tickets and calls a taxi for us.”
“Despite a demanding schedule, the obliging host spends an hour showing guests the garden and answering questions about local history.”
Examples
simple
“She is obliging and always helps her neighbours.”
contextual
“The obliging receptionist prints our tickets and calls a taxi for us.”
complex
“Despite a demanding schedule, the obliging host spends an hour showing guests the garden and answering questions about local history.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “obliging” in context.
Verb
01. be obliging
“The staff were happy to be obliging to all the visitors.”
verb + adj
02. obliging to guests
“The owners are always obliging to guests with special requests.”
adj + prep + noun
03. obliging towards strangers
“He is naturally obliging towards strangers who need directions.”
adj + prep + noun
04. remain obliging
“Despite the pressure, she remained obliging and polite throughout.”
verb + adj
Adjective
05. extremely obliging
“The hotel receptionist was extremely obliging and helped us with our luggage.”
adv + adj
06. quite obliging
“Our neighbours are quite obliging and always collect our parcels.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. obliging host
“Our obliging host offered us tea and showed us around the house.”
adj + noun
08. obliging manner
“She dealt with our complaint in an obliging manner.”
adj + noun
09. obliging smile
“The driver gave us an obliging smile and helped with the bags.”
adj + noun
10. obliging staff
“The obliging staff arranged a taxi for us late at night.”
adj + noun
11. a most obliging host
“Our host was a most obliging host and lent us his car for the day.”
12. in an obliging manner
“He dealt with our request in an obliging manner.”
Usage
The adjective typically describes people or their actions; often follows linking verbs such as 'be' or 'seem' or precedes nouns.
Real-World Examples
“A capacity crowd witnessed pre-match pyro, presentations and an evocative “Gracias No 10” shirt pitch banner before Argentina’s friendly against Benin, a team who could scarcely have been more obliging visitors.” Synonyms
Antonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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