ought

⁴ought

\ˈȯt, ˈät\

Definition of OUGHT

archaic variant of aught

¹ought

verbal auxiliary \ˈȯt\

Definition of OUGHT

—used to express obligation <ought to pay our debts>, advisability <ought to take care of yourself>, natural expectation <ought to be here by now>, or logical consequence <the result ought to be infinity>

Origin of OUGHT

Middle English oughte (1st & 3d singular present indicative), from oughte, 1st & 3d singular past indicative & subjunctive of owen to own, owe — more at owe

First Known Use: 12th century

Rhymes with OUGHT

aught, bought, caught, dot, fraught, ghat, lotte, naught, taut, thought, wrought

²ought

transitive verb \ˈȯ(ḵ)t\

Definition of OUGHT

1

chiefly Scottish : possess

2

chiefly Scottish : owe

Origin of OUGHT

Middle English oughte, 1st & 3d singular past indicative of owen

First Known Use: 13th century

³ought

noun \ˈȯt\

Definition of OUGHT

: moral obligation : duty

First Known Use of OUGHT

1678