Read along with the three podcasts, or open the full dictionary entry for Oblige for the definition, Arabic meaning, synonyms and example sentences.
Narrator: Today's word is "Oblige" — verb, pronounced /əˈblaɪdʒ/, with the stress on "blige".
Narrator: To oblige is to force someone to do something, or to do someone a favour.
Narrator: In plain English, make someone do it, or help out.
Narrator: It comes from Latin obligare, to bind.
Narrator: A common collocation is "obliged to", which describes being required.
Narrator: It differs from "force", because oblige can also mean kindly helping.
Narrator: In a second sense, "much obliged" is an old-fashioned thank you.
Narrator: Law, manners and everyday speech use the word.
Narrator: So remember: oblige binds or helps.
Speaker A: Did the shop give you a refund?
Speaker B: They were OBLIGED to! From Latin obligare.
Speaker A: By law?
Speaker B: Consumer rights.
Speaker A: Example sentences?
Speaker B: "Employers are obliged to pay minimum wage", law. "Happy to oblige", favours. "Much obliged", thanks.
Speaker A: Common mistakes?
Speaker B: Use "obliged to do", not "obliged doing".
Speaker A: Close relatives?
Speaker B: Require is its cousin, compel its twin, and accommodate an alternative — yet oblige keeps its courteous charm!
Speaker B: Let's use "oblige" in AI prompts — useful for legal explainers and customer service.
Speaker A: How for law?
Speaker B: Rights.
Prompt: Explain what UK shops are obliged to do for faulty goods.
Speaker A: And service?
Speaker B: Tone.
Prompt: Write a reply saying we are happy to oblige with a late delivery slot.
Speaker A: Could it help style?
Speaker B: Yes, for modern tone.
Prompt: Replace much obliged with modern thanks in this email.
Speaker A: One more?
Speaker B: Contracts.
Prompt: List what the tenant is obliged to do under this lease.
Oblige — meaning in Arabic & definition More O courses GL Dictionary