Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to: navigation, search
See also: obligé



Old French obliger < Latin obligo, from ob- + ligo.




oblige ‎(third-person singular simple present obliges, present participle obliging, simple past and past participle obliged)

  1. (transitive) To constrain someone by force or by social, moral or legal means.
    I am obliged to report to the police station every week.
  2. (transitive) To do someone a service or favour (hence, originally, creating an obligation).
    He obliged me by not parking his car in the drive.
    • 1719, John Harris, Astronomical dialogues between a gentleman and a lady, page 151:
      In the mean time I have another trouble to give you, if you will oblige me in it; and that is to get me a sight of the famous Orrery, which I have heard you and others so often speak of; and which I think was made by Mr. Rowley, the famous Mathematical Instrument-Maker.
  3. (intransitive) To be indebted to someone.
    I am obliged to you for your recent help.
  4. (intransitive) To do a service or favour.
    The singer obliged with another song.

Derived terms[edit]

Usage notes[edit]

"Obliged" has largely replaced "obligate"; the latter being more common in the the 17th through 19th centuries.[1]

Related terms[edit]




  1. ^ The New Fowler’s Modern English Usage (1996)





  1. first-person singular present indicative of obliger
  2. third-person singular present indicative of obliger
  3. first-person singular present subjunctive of obliger
  4. third-person singular present subjunctive of obliger
  5. second-person singular imperative of obliger