Obligation
noun
Definition
1. (noun) Something you must do because it is your duty, responsibility, or because a rule or law requires it.
2. (noun) A feeling of being morally bound to do something for someone — especially because of what they have done for you.
2. (noun) A feeling of being morally bound to do something for someone — especially because of what they have done for you.
Context Alive
Your cousin helped you move into your new flat last summer — carried boxes up three flights of stairs in the heat without complaining once. Now he's asking you to help him paint his house this weekend. You don't really want to, but you feel an obligation to say yes. He was there for you, so you show up.
Meanings
2 meanings 1 A Duty or Requirement (Noun) Very Common ▼
This meaning is about something you are required to do — either because a law demands it, a contract binds you, or your role makes it your responsibility. Imagine signing a phone contract that locks you in for two years — you now have a financial obligation to pay the monthly bill whether you use the phone or not. This is describing a requirement that isn't optional. You might say "employers have a legal obligation to provide a safe workplace" to mean the law requires it, or someone could say "I have no obligation to answer that" when they're not required to respond. Or think about a soldier who fulfils their obligation to serve even when they'd rather be home — it's a duty that overrides personal preference. The word signals that something must be done, not that you chose to do it.
✏️ Obligation often appears with legal, contractual, or financial — these tell you where the duty comes from. The verb form is oblige: "you are not obliged to attend" = "you have no obligation to attend." The adjective obligatory means required or compulsory: "attendance is obligatory."
2 A Moral Feeling of Owing Someone (Noun) Very Common ▼
This meaning is about feeling personally bound to do something for someone — not because a rule says so, but because your conscience or sense of fairness tells you to. Imagine a friend who lent you money when you were struggling — even after you pay it back, you still feel an obligation to help them if they ever need anything. This is describing an internal pressure to act, driven by gratitude, loyalty, or guilt. You might say "I feel an obligation to visit her" about an elderly relative you haven't seen in months, or someone could say "don't do it out of obligation — do it because you want to" when they sense you're only acting out of guilt. Or think about buying a gift for someone simply because they bought one for you — that nagging feeling is obligation at work. The word describes duty that comes from within, not from a rulebook.
✏️ The phrase out of obligation is very common and usually carries a slightly negative tone — it means you're doing something because you feel you have to, not because you genuinely want to. "She only came out of obligation" suggests she would have preferred to stay home. No obligation is used in sales and marketing: "free trial, no obligation" — meaning you can try without committing.
Common Patterns
Basic Structures
have an obligation to + verb → to be required or feel duty-bound to do something
Parents have an obligation to provide for their children.
under no obligation to + verb → not required to do something — free to refuse
You are under no obligation to accept the offer.
out of obligation → doing something because you feel you must, not because you want to
She went to the party out of obligation, not because she wanted to.
Common Structures
a legal / moral / financial obligation → specifying where the duty comes from — law, conscience, or money
The company has a legal obligation to disclose its earnings to shareholders.
meet / fulfil an obligation → to successfully carry out a duty or requirement
He worked overtime to fulfil his financial obligations.
feel an obligation to + verb → to feel internally pressured to do something for moral reasons
I feel an obligation to help — she's done so much for me.
Collocations
10 collocationslegal obligation
a duty required by law — failure to comply may have legal consequences
moral obligation
a duty driven by conscience or personal ethics, not by rules
financial obligation
a duty to pay money owed — loans, bills, debts
contractual obligation
a duty that exists because of a signed agreement
under no obligation
not required to do anything — completely free to choose
out of obligation
doing something because of duty rather than genuine desire
meet / fulfil an obligation
to successfully carry out what is required of you
sense of obligation
a personal feeling that you owe someone something
no obligation
used in marketing to mean you can try without committing
obligation to pay
a requirement to hand over money that is owed
Example Sentences
10 examples
1
Employers have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of their workers.
The law requires companies to make sure their employees work in safe conditions.
2
You are under no obligation to stay if you're not comfortable.
You're completely free to leave whenever you want — nobody is forcing you to remain.
3
She visited him every Sunday out of obligation, not because she enjoyed it.
She went to see him each week because she felt she had to, not because she actually wanted to.
4
He felt a strong obligation to repay her kindness after everything she had done for him.
After all the help she had given him, he felt he owed her something in return.
5
The contract clearly states our obligations — there's no room for confusion.
The agreement spells out exactly what each side is required to do.
6
Try it free for 30 days — no obligation, cancel any time.
Use it for a month without paying — you're not locked in and can stop whenever you like.
7
She struggled to meet her financial obligations after losing her job.
After being made redundant, she had a hard time keeping up with her bills and loan payments.
8
I don't want you to come out of obligation — only come if you actually want to.
Don't show up just because you feel you have to — I'd rather you come because you genuinely want to be there.
9
As citizens, we have an obligation to vote and participate in democracy.
It's our duty as members of society to cast our votes and take part in the democratic process.
10
The charity argued that wealthy nations have a moral obligation to help those in poverty.
The organisation said rich countries have an ethical duty to support people living in extreme need.
Synonyms & Antonyms
6 items
Synonymsduty
the closest everyday equivalent — slightly less formal and often used for moral or professional responsibilities
responsibility
broader — can include things you choose to take on, not just things imposed on you
commitment
focuses on a promise or pledge — something you've agreed to do
Antonymsfreedom
the ability to choose without any imposed duty or requirement
choice
doing something voluntarily rather than because you must
exemption
being officially released from a duty or requirement that applies to others