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 behaviour; privilege entails responsibility”. Being a noble meant that one had responsibilities to lead, manage, etc., not simply spending one’s time in idle pursuits.

Translations

Dutch

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from French noblesse oblige.

Phrase

noblesse oblige

  1. noblesse oblige
    Synonym: adel verplicht

Further reading

French

Etymology

Literally, nobility obliges. See noblesse and obliger.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /nɔ.blɛ.s‿ɔ.bliʒ/ ~ /nɔ.ble.s‿ɔ.bliʒ/
  • Audio:(file)
  • 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

Indonesian

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from French noblesse oblige (literally nobility obliges).

Noun

noblesse oblige (plural noblesse-noblesse oblige)

  1. noblesse oblige: the honourable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank; this often includes the expectation of benevolent actions such as helping those less fortunate

Further reading

Italian

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /noˈblɛs oˈbliʒ/

Phrase

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

Noun

noblesse oblige m (uncountable)

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

Portuguese

Etymology

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

Noun

noblesse oblige m or f (uncountable)

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