Obliged - Definitions from Dictionary.com

3 results for: Obliged

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

o·blige

Audio Help [uh-blahyj] Pronunciation Key verb, o·bliged, o·blig·ing.

–verb (used with object)

1.	to require or constrain, as by law, command, conscience, or force of necessity.

2.	to bind morally or legally, as by a promise or contract.

3.	to place under a debt of gratitude for some benefit, favor, or service: I'm much obliged for the ride.

4.	to put (one) in a debt of gratitude, as by a favor or accommodation: Mr. Weems will oblige us with a song.

5.	to make (an action, policy, etc.) necessary or obligatory: Your carelessness obliges firmness on my part.

–verb (used without object)

6.	to be kindly accommodating: I'll do anything within reason to oblige.

[Origin: 1250–1300; ME obligen < OF obligier < L obligāre to bind. See obligate

]

—Related forms

o·blig·ed·ly

Audio Help [uh-blahy-jid-lee] Pronunciation Key, adverb

o·blig·ed·ness, noun

o·blig·er, noun

—Synonyms 1. compel, force. 2. obligate. 4. Oblige, accommodate imply making a gracious and welcome gesture of some kind. Oblige emphasizes the idea of conferring a favor or benefit (and often of taking some trouble to do it): to oblige someone with a loan. Accommodate emphasizes doing a service or furnishing a convenience: to accommodate someone with lodgings and meals.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Obliged

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

o·blige Audio Help   (ə-blīj') Pronunciation Key
v.   o·bliged, o·blig·ing, o·blig·es

v.   tr.

To constrain by physical, legal, social, or moral means.
To make indebted or grateful: I am obliged to you for your gracious hospitality.
To do a service or favor for: They obliged us by arriving early.

v. intr.
To do a service or favor: The soloist obliged with yet another encore.

[Middle English obligen, from Old French obligier, from Latin obligāre : ob-, to; see ob- + ligāre, to bind; see leig- in Indo-European roots.]

o·blig'er n.

Synonyms: These verbs mean to perform a service or a courteous act for: obliged me by keeping the matter quiet; accommodating her by lending her money; favor an audience with an encore. See Also Synonyms at force.
Antonym: disoblige

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