How to pronounce obligation
Say it like ah-bluh-GAY-shun. Obligation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (GAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce obligation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ah
- bluh
- GAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Obligation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ahGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- bluhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- GAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of obligation
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: ob-lih-GAY-shun.
What does obligation mean?
- the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force“we must instill a sense of duty in our children”“every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty”
- the state of being obligated to do or pay something“he is under an obligation to finish the job”
- a personal relation in which one is indebted for a service or favor
Where does obligation come from?
From Middle English obligacioun, from Old French obligacion, from Latin obligatio, obligationem, from obligatum (past participle of obligare), from ob- (“to”) + ligare (“to bind”), from Proto-Indo-European *leyǵ- (“to bind”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with obligation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of obligation.
Questions about saying obligation
How do you pronounce obligation?
Say ah-bluh-GAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɑbləˈɡeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌɒblɪˈɡeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in obligation?
Obligation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (GAY). Broken into parts: ah · bluh · GAY · shun.
Is obligation pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˌɒblɪˈɡeɪʃən/ (ob-lih-GAY-shun).