noblesse oblige

noun

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no·blesse oblige | \ nō-ˈbles-ə-ˈblēzh

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Definition of noblesse oblige

: the obligation of honorable, generous, and responsible behavior associated with high rank or birth

Noblesse Oblige Has French Origins Example Sentences Learn More About noblesse oblige

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Noblesse Oblige Has French Origins

In French, "noblesse oblige" means literally "nobility obligates." French speakers transformed the phrase into a noun, which English speakers picked up in the 19th century. Then, as now, "noblesse oblige" referred to the unwritten obligation of people from a noble ancestry to act honorably and generously to others. Later, by extension, it also came to refer to the obligation of anyone who is in a better position than others - due, for example, to high office or celebrity - to act respectably and responsibly.

Examples of noblesse oblige in a Sentence

He was raised to have a strong sense of noblesse oblige.

Recent Examples on the Web Everything is up to date in this museum of video screens and touch panels except its founding principle, which is the old noblesse oblige. — Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2020 His Zorro dedicates himself to the equitable treatment of every citizen and rouses his fellow caballeros to practice a democratic form of noblesse oblige. — Washington Post, 1 Jan. 2021 But the old spirit of noblesse oblige was often troubled by a certain condescension, a sense that rules are for the little people. — Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2020 So, his children and certain of his grandchildren became fully aware of an obligation that is characterized by the phrase noblesse oblige. — Jamie Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Oct. 2020 This job of noblesse oblige raises a host of uncomfortable ethical conundrums, but Peter, in typical fashion, squares them away by showing his self-awareness. — Ryu Spaeth, The New Republic, 9 July 2020 Catholic social justice with a hint of noblesse oblige. — New York Times, 5 May 2020 Graham had a medical degree and was living in settlement housing, where the wealthy lived alongside the poor, which appealed to his sense of noblesse oblige. — Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2020 And, unlike the goal of simply becoming fabulously wealthy — which one could also accomplish by winning the lottery or marrying a nonroyal oil magnate — princesshood came with a sense of noblesse oblige. — Washington Post, 10 Jan. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'noblesse oblige.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Noblesse oblige.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noblesse%20oblige. Accessed 22 Oct. 2021.

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