Oblige
/əˈblaɪdʒ/
verbB2
Definition
Oblige means to do what someone asks or expects, usually as a favor or because of a rule or duty. It can also mean to make someone feel that they must do something. People often use it when they help others or follow a request politely.
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See It in Action
To do something to help or please someone
- •Could you oblige me by passing the salt?
- •She obliged her friend by lending her notes for the exam.
- •The waiter obliged the customer’s request for extra napkins.
To make someone feel that they must do something
- •The law obliges drivers to wear seat belts.
- •Parents are obliged to care for their children.
- •The contract obliges both parties to keep information secret.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'oblige' like 'help' (A1 word), but with a feeling that you should do it because someone needs or expects it
- ✓Picture holding a door open for someone as a polite action you do because they need it
- ✓It's the feeling when you say 'Sure, I will do that for you' because you want to be kind or responsible
- ✓Sounds like 'uh-BLIDGE' → imagine a bridge (sounds like 'blidge') you build to connect and help someone cross
- ✓Think of a story where a character feels they must help a friend because it's the right thing, not just because they want to
- ✓NOT like 'force' (someone makes you do it against your will), 'oblige' is more polite and willing or respectful
- ✓NOT like 'choose' (you decide freely), 'oblige' often means you feel a duty or want to please
- ✓NOT like 'demand' (you ask strongly), 'oblige' is about responding to a request or need gently
Try Other Words
- •Help: to do something useful for someone (Use when the focus is on general assistance without the sense of duty)
- •Assist: to give support or aid (Use in formal or professional contexts)
- •Comply: to follow rules or requests (Use when emphasizing following rules or orders)
- •Accommodate: to make changes to meet someone's needs (Use when adjusting or making special arrangements)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: 'ob-' (toward) + 'lige' (from Latin 'ligare,' meaning to bind or tie)
- •Etymology: From Latin 'obligare,' meaning to bind or make someone legally or morally responsible
- •Historical development: Originally meant to bind someone by law or promise; over time, it also came to mean doing a favor or helping
- •Modern usage: Used to express doing a favor, helping, or following a duty or request politely
Reflect & Connect
•When have you felt obliged to help someone even if you didn’t want to? How did it feel?
•How is obliging different from just helping someone freely without any expectation?
Fill in the blanks
1.She obliged her neighbor by ___ to water the plants while they were away.
2.The company is obliged to ___ safety rules to protect workers.
3.When you ask someone to oblige, you are usually requesting a ___ or a favor.
4.Unlike forcing someone, to oblige means to do something ___ or politely.
5.The teacher obliged the student by ___ extra time to finish the test.
6.Laws often oblige citizens to pay ___ on their income.
7.When someone obliges you, they usually do it because they feel a ___ or want to be kind.