obligation
English meaning: Obligation
Definition
The act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie to someone.
Example
“As a doctor, she felt a strong moral obligation to help the injured man.”
Another example: “The quote is free, with no obligation to buy.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A formal-to-neutral noun for a moral, legal, or social duty ('a sense of obligation', 'meet your obligations'). Also: a debt of gratitude ('I'm under no obligation to him'). 'Under (an) obligation' and 'without obligation' (common in sales) are set phrases.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'obligatio', from 'obligare' (to bind), from 'ob-' (to) + 'ligare' (to bind, tie).
Related Words
Common Collocations
- sense of obligation
- legal obligation
- meet your obligations
- moral obligation
- under no obligation
- fulfil an obligation
Word Forms
oblige (v); obligation (n); obligations (pl); obligatory (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B