How to pronounce oblige
Say it like uh-BLYJ. Oblige has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BLYJ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce oblige. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- BLYJ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Oblige pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BLYJSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of oblige
American and British speakers say oblige in essentially the same way: /əˈblaɪdʒ/ in the US and /əˈblaɪdʒ/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-BLYJ.
What does oblige mean?
- To constrain someone by force or by social, moral or legal means.“Your carelessness obliges firmness on my part.”
- To do (someone) a service or favor (hence, originally, creating an obligation).“He obliged me by not parking his car in the drive.”
- To cause somebody to feel indebted.“I am much obliged to you for your recent help.”
Where does oblige come from?
From Middle English obligen, from Old French obligier, obliger, from Latin obligō, obligāre, from ob- + ligō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying oblige
How do you pronounce oblige?
Say uh-BLYJ. The American pronunciation is /əˈblaɪdʒ/. In British English it is /əˈblaɪdʒ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in oblige?
Oblige has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BLYJ). Broken into parts: uh · BLYJ.
Do Americans and Brits say oblige the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈblaɪdʒ/ and the British form is /əˈblaɪdʒ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.