Main Entry:

oblige

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈblīj\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

obliged; oblig·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French obliger, from Latin obligare, literally, to bind to, from ob- toward + ligare to bind — more at ligature

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1: to constrain by physical, moral, or legal force or by the exigencies of circumstance <obliged to find a job>2 a: to put in one's debt by a favor or service <we are much obliged for your help> b: to do a favor for <always ready to oblige a friend>intransitive verb: to do something as or as if as a favor

synonyms see force

— oblig·er noun