oblige

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: A2 — Elementary

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb force somebody to do something
  2. verb bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted
  3. verb provide a service or favor for someone

Etymology

From Middle English obligen, from Old French obligier, obliger, from Latin obligō, obligāre, from ob- + ligō. Doublet of obligate, taken straight from Latin.

In classic literature

Synonyms

compel, obligate

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