obligation
/ˌɒblɪˈɡeɪʃən/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Something that you must do because of a law, rule, promise, or duty. It can also mean a strong moral duty.
- You have an obligation to pay your taxes.
- I felt an obligation to help her.
- The contract creates a legal obligation.
Adinary Nuance
Obligation is stronger and more formal than need or responsibility. Use it when something is required by law, duty, or promise. Responsibility is broader; it can mean a job or task you should handle. Duty often sounds more moral, while obligation sounds more legal or binding.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- nghĩa vụ
- Spanish
- obligación
- Chinese
- 义务
- Japanese
- 義務
- Korean
- 의무
Etymology
Obligation comes from Latin obligatio, meaning 'a binding' or 'a tying'. It entered English through Old French in the Middle Ages.
Common phrases
legal obligationmoral obligationsense of obligationunder an obligation
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is obligation formal or informal?
- Obligation is fairly formal. It is common in writing, business, and legal English.
- What is the difference between obligation and responsibility?
- An obligation is something required by rule, law, or promise. Responsibility is a broader word for a duty or task you handle.
- Can I say 'I have an obligation' in everyday English?
- Yes. It is natural, especially when you mean a duty you cannot ignore.