noblesse oblige

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

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

Noun

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.

Usage notes

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

Translations

French

Etymology

Literally “nobility obliges”. See noblesse and obliger.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /nɔ.blɛs ɔ.bliʒ/
  • Rhymes: -iʒ

Phrase

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.

Noun

noblesse oblige m (uncountable)

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

Italian

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /noˌblɛs oˈbliʒ/

Phrase

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.

Synonyms

  • la nobiltà fa obbligo

Noun

noblesse oblige m (uncountable)

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

Portuguese

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

  • (Portugal) IPA(key): /nuˌβlɛs(ɨ) uˈβliʒɨ/

Noun

noblesse oblige m or f (in variation) (uncountable)

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