Looking up...
duty
/ˈdjuːti/
responsibility or obligation
It is her duty to ensure the project meets the deadline.
This means she is responsible for making sure the project is completed on time.
general
A moral or legal obligation to do something.
Citizens have a duty to follow the law.
This means it is their responsibility to obey legal rules.
Can refer to both moral and legal responsibilities.
general
A task or assignment that someone is required to perform.
The soldier performed his duty with honor.
This means he carried out his assigned tasks in a respectful and honorable way.
Often used in military or professional contexts.
Finance
Finance
A tax or fee imposed by a government.
The government increased import duties to protect local industries.
This means they raised taxes on imported goods to support domestic businesses.
In finance, 'duty' typically refers to customs duties or tariffs.
Collocations
duty of carea legal obligation to take reasonable care to avoid harming othersline of dutythe tasks or responsibilities that are part of someone's job, especially in the military or law enforcementcall of dutya strong sense of moral obligation to do something
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The meaning of 'duty' can vary significantly depending on the context. In legal or financial contexts, it often refers to obligations or taxes, while in everyday language, it can refer to moral or professional responsibilities.
Gold Rule
Legal vs. Moral Duty
In legal contexts, 'duty' refers to obligations imposed by law, while in moral contexts, it refers to personal or ethical responsibilities.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'dutee', from Old French 'deu', from Latin 'debitum' (debt, obligation).
Usage Notes
In legal contexts, 'duty' often refers to a legal obligation. In everyday language, it can refer to moral or professional responsibilities.
Word Breakdown
duty
obligation or task
rootEnglish Dictionary