obligation

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   Something you must do because of a law, promise or sense of duty.

   Grammar: Countable for a specific duty (a legal obligation); uncountable as a general idea (a sense of obligation).

   Patterns

   • an obligation to do something
   • under no obligation to do something
   • have an obligation to someone

   Parents have a legal obligation to send children to school.

   You are under no obligation to accept the offer.

   She felt an obligation to visit her aunt.

2. 2noununcountable

   A feeling of owing something to someone because of a favor they have done.

   Grammar: Often used with out of: out of obligation.

   Patterns

   • out of obligation

   He went to the party out of obligation, not enjoyment.

   I don't want you to help me from a sense of obligation.

Word forms

Common combinations

legal obligation

Paying tax is a legal obligation.

moral obligation

We have a moral obligation to help.

meet your obligations

The firm failed to meet its obligations.

without obligation

Get a free quote without obligation.

fulfill an obligation

He fulfilled his obligation to the team.

Synonyms and how they differ

duty

Suggests moral or job-related responsibility and sounds more personal.

responsibility

Emphasizes being in charge of something, not just being bound to do it.

commitment

Something you chose to promise, while an obligation can be imposed.

Opposites

Word family

obligate verb

to bind by a legal or moral duty

obligatory adjective

required by a rule or custom

oblige verb

to force, or to do a favor

Commonly confused: obligation or obligation vs. option?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “obligation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words