verb
oblige
uh-BLYJ
verb
1
To require someone to do something, by law, duty, or circumstance.
"The contract obliges the tenant to pay rent on the first of the month."
2
To do someone a favour, often creating a sense of gratitude.
"She was happy to oblige when a colleague asked for help."
How to Use Oblige
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo force someone to do something, or to kindly do a favour for them.
Common pairings
obliged to
happy to oblige
Word Forms
obliged past tense, obliges singular
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The contract _____ the tenant to pay rent on the first of the month.
Etymology
From Old French obliger, from Latin obligare, from ob- + ligare ("to bind"). A doublet of obligate.