approval If you describe someone as obliging, you think that they are willing and eager to be helpful. He is an extremely pleasant and obliging man. = accommodating + obligingly oblig·ing·ly He swung round and strode towards the door. Benedict obligingly held it open. willing and eager to help
showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others; "to close one's eyes like a complaisant husband whose wife has taken a lover"; "the obliging waiter was in no hurry for us to leave"
bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted; "He's held by a contract"; "I'll hold you by your promise" provide a service or favor for someone; "We had to oblige him
politeness If you tell someone that you would be obliged or should be obliged if they would do something, you are telling them in a polite but firm way that you want them to do it. I would be obliged if you could read it to us
formulae People sometimes use obliged in expressions such as `much obliged' or `I am obliged to you' when they want to indicate that they are very grateful for something. Much obliged for your assistance Thank you very much indeed, Doctor, I am extremely obliged to you
If you are obliged to do something, a situation, rule, or law makes it necessary for you to do that thing. The storm got worse and worse. Finally, I was obliged to abandon the car and continue on foot This decree obliges unions to delay strikes. = compel
To oblige someone means to be helpful to them by doing what they have asked you to do. If you ever need help with the babysitting, I'd be glad to oblige We called up three economists to ask how to eliminate the deficit and they obliged with very straightforward answers Mr Oakley always has been ready to oblige journalists with information