oblige

[uh-blahyj] /əˈblaɪdʒ/

verb (used with object), obliged, obliging.

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

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

to place under a debt of gratitude for some benefit, favor, or service:

I'm much obliged for the ride.

to put (one) in a debt of gratitude, as by a favor or accommodation:

Mr. Weems will oblige us with a song.

to make (an action, policy, etc.) necessary or obligatory:

Your carelessness obliges firmness on my part.

verb (used without object), obliged, obliging.

to be kindly accommodating:

I'll do anything within reason to oblige.

Origin

1250-1300; Middle English obligen < Old French obligier < Latin obligāre to bind. See obligate

Related forms

obligedly

[uh-blahy-jid-lee] /əˈblaɪ dʒɪd li/ (Show IPA), adverb

obligedness, noun

obliger, noun

preoblige, verb (used with object), preobliged, preobliging.

reoblige, verb (used with object), reobliged, reobliging.

unobliged, adjective

Can be confused

coerce, compel, constrain, force, oblige (see synonym study at the current entry)

obligate, oblige.

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.

Examples from the web for obliged

But then you're also obliged to set the context in which the work needs to be seen.
Before accepting the chocolate, however, they were obliged to complete a brief questionnaire.
One is obliged to pick a particular reference to go by.
In no case is it work for someone who feels obliged to make the president feel good about himself.
The country lawyer has been obliged to study all parts of the law alike, and he has known no reason why he should not do so.
Many obliged, and often included a personal letter or invitation in their response.
US attorneys, however, are not obliged to follow that advice.
In considering a change in national policy, one is obliged to anticipate the practical consequences.
If someone asked for a discount, he happily obliged.
He obliged, and after a few seconds, the curtain came down.

British Dictionary definitions for obliged

oblige

/əˈblaɪdʒ/

verb

(transitive; often passive) to bind or constrain (someone to do something) by legal, moral, or physical means

(transitive; usually passive) to make indebted or grateful (to someone) by doing a favour or service: we are obliged to you for dinner

to do a service or favour to (someone): she obliged the guest with a song

Derived Forms

obliger, noun

Word Origin

C13: from Old French obliger, from Latin obligāre, from ob- to, towards + ligāre to bind

Word Origin and History for obliged

adj.

c.1600, past participle adjective from oblige. To be obliged "be bound by ties of gratitude" is from 1540s.

oblige

c.1300, "to bind by oath," from Old French obligier "engage one's faith, commit (oneself), pledge" (13c.), from Latin obligare "to bind, bind up, bandage," figuratively "put under obligation," from ob "to" (see ob-) + ligare "to bind," from PIE root *leig- "to bind" (see ligament). Main modern meaning "to make (someone) indebted by conferring a benefit or kindness" is from 1560s. Related: obliged; obliging.