noblesse oblige

Borrowed from French noblesse oblige (literally “nobility obliges”), primarily used as a phrase. See noblesse and obliger.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /nəʊˌblɛs ɒˈbliːʒ/
• (US) IPA^(key): /noʊˌblɛs əˈbliʒ/
• Rhymes: -iːʒ

noblesse oblige (uncountable)

1. The honourable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank; in American English this often includes the expectation of benevolent actions such as helping those less fortunate.

• The Oxford English Dictionary says that the term “suggests noble ancestry constrains to honourable behaviour; privilege entails responsibility”. Being a noble meant that you had responsibilities to lead, manage, etc. You were not to simply spend your time in idle pursuits.

Literally, “nobility obliges”. See noblesse and obliger.

• IPA^(key): /nɔ.blɛ.s‿ɔ.bliʒ/, /nɔ.ble.s‿ɔ.bliʒ/

• Audio

  (file)

• Rhymes: -iʒ

noblesse oblige

1. noble or more generally high-ranked people have honourable obligations towards lower-ranked or less fortunate ones, and should behave nobly towards them

Unadapted borrowing from French noblesse oblige (literally “nobility obliges”), primarily used as a phrase.

• IPA^(key): /noˈblɛs oˈbliʒ/

noblesse oblige

1. noble or more generally high-ranked people have honourable/honorable obligations towards lower-ranked or less fortunate ones, and should behave nobly towards them

   Synonym: la nobiltà fa obbligo

noblesse oblige m (uncountable)

1. noblesse oblige (the honourable/honorable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank)

Unadapted borrowing from French noblesse oblige (literally “nobility obliges”), primarily used as a phrase.

noblesse oblige m or f (uncountable)

1. noblesse oblige (the honourable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank)