obligation
gb/ˌɑbləɡˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌɑbləɡˈeɪʃən/
B1
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Something you must do
Something you have to do because it is the law, a rule, or the right thing to do.
Usage pattern:
to have an obligation to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'obligation' with 'option'. An obligation is something you must do, not something you can choose to do.
Synonyms
duty (Often used for moral or social responsibilities, sometimes less formal than 'obligation'.)
|
responsibility (More general and can include voluntary roles, not always enforced by rules or laws.)
Antonyms
freedom (The state of not being bound by duties or constraints.)
|
option (Something that is a choice rather than a requirement.)
Collocations
legal obligation
|moral obligation
|fulfill an obligation
|meet an obligation
|have an obligation
Themes
law
|ethics
|daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- You have a legal obligation to pay your taxes.
- Parents have an obligation to care for their children.
- She felt a strong moral obligation to help the victims.
- The company has an obligation to protect its employees.
- He failed to meet his obligations under the contract.
Learner examples
- I have an obligation to go to work every day.
- We have an obligation to help our friends.
- She has an obligation to pay the rent.
- They have an obligation to follow the rules.
Noun
formal
B2
entity
2
Debt or promised service
Something you must give or do because you agreed to it or owe it.
Usage pattern:
to fulfill an obligation to [someone]
Synonyms
commitment (An agreement or promise that must be honored, often broader than purely financial obligations.)
|
liability (A legal term for something owed, often monetary.)
Antonyms
asset (Something of value owned, opposite of owing something.)
Collocations
financial obligation
|contractual obligation
|repay an obligation
|outstanding obligation
Themes
business
|finance
|law
Examples
- The company has several outstanding financial obligations.
- He met all his contractual obligations before leaving the firm.
- Mortgage payments are one of their largest obligations.
Learner examples
- I have an obligation to pay back the loan.
- The business has many obligations to the bank.
- She finished her obligations under the contract.
Grammar
Dictionary form
obligation
IPA
GB/ˌɑbləɡˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌɑbləɡˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
ob - lig - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: obligation
- Plural: obligations
Word family
Expressions
feel obliged
1/fˈil əblˈaɪd͡ʒd/
fixed phrase
Feel you must do something
To feel you should do something because it is polite or right.
Examples
- I felt obliged to invite him since he invited me.
- She didn’t want to go but felt obliged after all the help he gave her.
fulfill an obligation
1/fʊlfˈɪl ən ˌɑbləɡˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Do what you are required to do
To do what you must do because of a law, rule, or promise.
Examples
- We must fulfill our obligations under the contract.
- He fulfilled his obligation by paying the fine.
under no obligation
1/ˈʌndɚ nˈoʊ ˌɑbləɡˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Not required to act
You do not have to do it if you don’t want to.
Examples
- You are under no obligation to answer that question.
- She made it clear we were under no obligation to buy anything.