ought

auxiliary verb

\ ˈȯt

Definition of ought

(Entry 1 of 4)

—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

ought

verb

\ ˈȯ(ḵ)t

Definition of ought (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

1 chiefly Scotland : possess

2 chiefly Scotland : owe

ought

noun

\ ˈȯt

Definition of ought (Entry 3 of 4)

: moral obligation : duty

ought

\ ˈȯt

, ˈät\

Definition of ought (Entry 4 of 4)

archaic spelling of aught

Examples of ought in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Auxiliary verb

Stated differently, should the federal government or states’ governments decide whether sports betting ought to be lawful? — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "Why New Jersey Won Its Supreme Court Battle to Legalize Sports Betting," 14 May 2018 And while sales are one way to gauge the will of the people, the marketplace is fickle. Americans ought to be cautious before making corporations their moral compass or primary vehicle for reform. — Adam Winkler, The New Republic, "Why big business is suddenly into liberal politics," 30 Apr. 2018 The kind of diversity that has brought both of them into the spotlight ought to be the norm rather than singled out, to the point that the comparison wouldn’t be considered necessary in the first place. — Karen Han, Teen Vogue, "No, Crazy Rich Asians Isn't the "Asian Black Panther"," 27 Apr. 2018 In large part, that’s because anti-abortionist’s argument hinges upon the notion that life is always sacred and ought never be taken. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "Abortion Is Not Murder," 13 Apr. 2018 In most cases, unless a reliable soil test suggests otherwise, that ought to be a high-nitrogen, lawn-type fertilizer. — Neil Sperry, star-telegram, "Shady spots are like the Goldilocks of gardening. Here, four plants that are just right | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 30 Mar. 2018 Instead of brain tissue, the doctors found a 9cm (~3.5 inch) pressurized pocket of air where much of his right frontal lobe ought to be. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Doctors shocked by 3.5-inch air bubble where part of man’s brain should be," 13 Mar. 2018 Both Redente and Matviak maintain that Sidney’s struggles ought to concern people across the country in areas that can no longer be protected from climate change. — Christopher Flavelle, Bloomberg.com, "America’s Last-Ditch Climate Strategy of Retreat Isn’t Going So Well," 2 May 2018 Broadway has come to rely on subsidized testing grounds, but nonprofit theaters ought to be raising the bar. — Charles Mcnulty, latimes.com, "Tony Award nominations reflect an anemic year for original ideas. Here's a critic's take on the bright spots," 1 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Robust public health ought to be the entitlement of every American. — Maryn Mckenna, WIRED, "To Understand Antibiotic Abuse We Need Data From Farms," 11 June 2018 And if so, is there a legitimate case to make that the 25th Amendment ought to be invoked? — Sean Illing, Vox, "Can the 25th Amendment be invoked to remove Trump from office? I asked one of its authors.," 14 Feb. 2019 To see that commitment as no more than a grotesque mockery of what ought to be a joyful partnership is to assume that the women involved might have feelings, and to sympathize with those feelings. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "Despite What Tucker Carlson Thinks, Women Aren't Something to Possess," 19 Mar. 2019 In these situations, if one takes a step forward, the other ought to as well. — SI.com, "Napoli Chief Reveals He Offered €60m for Liverpool Target and Reels Off Transfer Shortlist," 16 June 2018 Shrum suggested Cox ought to be advertising his Trump endorsement to try to consolidate the GOP vote. — Seema Mehta, latimes.com, "New poll finds a volatile race for second place in California governor's contest," 22 May 2018 Yes, the solution ought to start in children’s homes. — Alan J. Borsuk, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Borsuk: Literacy may not be a constitutional right, but it's a life imperative," 6 July 2018 Our civic, corporate and government leaders ought to want to endear the gifts, talents and value of those afflicted and oppressed within this fabric of oppression, bringing greater peace, public safety and prosperity for themselves and all people. — kansascity, "Jean Paul Bradshaw," 30 June 2018 And that next president ought to have this appointment, which will affect the Supreme Court, for probably a quarter of a century. — Glenn Kessler, Washington Post, "For the record: Supreme Court nominees considered in ‘election years’," 27 June 2018

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

History and Etymology for ought

Auxiliary verb

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

Verb

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

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