obligation

Everyday

1. An obligation is something you must do because a rule, a promise or your duty says so. tree →
2. An obligation is the feeling that you ought to do something, for example to help someone who helped you. tree →
3. (formal) In official writing, an obligation is a duty set by law or by a contract. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life the word tells the reader that a person is not free to choose: they have to do something. It appears in lessons about rights and responsibilities, rules at school and citizenship. Phrases: «under an obligation», «no obligation» (you do not have to buy or agree; common in shop adverts), «feel an obligation», «a sense of obligation», «meet your obligations».

Examples

• Parents have an obligation to keep their children safe. tree →
• You are under no obligation to buy anything. tree →
• She felt an obligation to help her neighbour after he fixed her bike. tree →
• Try the game free, no obligation. tree →
• Going to school is a legal obligation for children. tree →
• He helped out of a sense of obligation, not because he wanted to. tree →
• (formal) The tenant shall meet all obligations set out in this agreement. tree →
• Keeping a promise is an obligation. tree →
• Better poverty without a care than wealth with its many obligations. tree →

Note

Countable noun: obligations. Related verb «oblige» (be obliged to = have to) and adjective «obligatory» (= compulsory). «No obligation» in adverts means you can say no for free, but always read the small print. Do not confuse with «option» (something you may choose).