| / English Dictionary |
OBLIGING
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
Example:
the obliging waiter was in no hurry for us to leave
Synonyms:
complaisant; obliging
Classified under:
Similar:
accommodating; accommodative (helpful in bringing about a harmonious adaptation)
Derivation:
obligingness (a disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others)
II. (verb)
Sense 1
-ing form of the verb oblige
Context examples:
He entreated me to give some account of myself, and desired to know what I would eat or drink; said, I should be used as well as himself; and spoke so many obliging things, that I wondered to find such civilities from a Yahoo.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
Many showed themselves obliging, and amiable too; and I discovered amongst them not a few examples of natural politeness, and innate self-respect, as well as of excellent capacity, that won both my goodwill and my admiration.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
You are very obliging.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
I have wired to Overton to let us know any fresh London developments at this address, and in the meantime we can only concentrate our attention upon Dr. Armstrong, whose name the obliging young lady at the office allowed me to read upon the counterfoil of Staunton’s urgent message.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
“No trouble in the world, ma'am,” said the obliging Mrs. Ford.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
“Sir,” said Mr. Micawber, “you are exceedingly obliging. I am in statu quo.”
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
When the card-tables were placed, he had the opportunity of obliging her in turn, by sitting down to whist.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
There could be only the most proper alacrity, a most obliging compliance for public view; and smiles reined in and spirits dancing in private rapture.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
She was sorry, really sorry; and yet in spite of this and the two or three other things which she wished he had not said, she thought him altogether improved since she had seen him; he was much more gentle, obliging, and attentive to other people's feelings than he had ever been at Mansfield; she had never seen him so agreeable—so near being agreeable; his behaviour to her father could not offend, and there was something particularly kind and proper in the notice he took of Susan.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
He said so many other obliging things, and I knew him to be so honest a man, that I could not reject this proposal; the thirst I had of seeing the world, notwithstanding my past misfortunes, continuing as violent as ever.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
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