Obligé (en. Obliged)

/o.bli.ʒe/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench
noun
An individual forced to fulfill an obligation.
He became a man obliged by the circumstances.
Il est devenu un homme obligé par les circonstances.
A person who receives a service or a benefit.
She is the most obliged in this matter.
Elle est la plus obligée dans cette affaire.
adjective
Who has an obligation or a duty.
He felt obliged to help his neighbors.
Il se sentait obligé d'aider ses voisins.
Passive form of the action of obliging.
They felt obliged to make a decision quickly.
Ils se sont sentis obligés de prendre une décision rapidement.

Etymology

From the verb 'obliger', coming from the Latin 'obligare', meaning 'to bind, to constrain'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

obliged by the circumstances
To be forced to act based on events.
obligé par les circonstances
to feel obliged
To feel the need to respond to an obligation.
se sentir obligé
to be in a position of obligation
To be in a position of dependence in relation to someone else.
être d'un obligé

Related Words

obligation
Duty or moral or legal need to do something.
obligation
to oblige
To force someone to do something.
obliger
obliged (adjective)
Who is bound by obligations.
obligé (adjectif)

Slang Meanings

To be stuck by an obligation.
I am totally obliged to stay tonight; it's my friend's party.
Je suis totalement obligé de rester ce soir, c'est la fête de mon pote.
To have accounts to settle.
I am obliged to him after all he has done for me.
Je suis obligé envers lui après tout ce qu'il a fait pour moi.