o·blige ( -bl j )v. o·bliged, o·blig·ing, o·blig·es v.tr.1. To constrain by physical, legal, social, or moral means. 2. To make indebted or grateful: I am obliged to you for your gracious hospitality. 3. To do a service or favor for: They obliged us by arriving early. v.intr. To do a service or favor: The soloist obliged with yet another encore.
[Middle English obligen, from Old French obligier, from Latin oblig re : ob-, to; see ob- + lig re, to bind; see leig- in Indo-European roots.]
o·blig er n. Synonyms: oblige, accommodate, favor These verbs mean to perform a service or a courteous act for: obliged me by keeping the matter quiet; accommodating her by lending her money; favor an audience with an encore. See Also Synonyms at force. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | obliger - someone who performs a service or does a favorbenefactor, helper - a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help) |