Duty vs. Obligation — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
Duty refers to a moral or legal responsibility, often associated with one's role in society or a specific task. Obligation implies a social, moral, or legal requirement to perform an action, usually resulting from a promise or contract.
Difference Between Duty and Obligation
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Duty often arises from a specific role one holds in society, like a job or familial role.
Obligation may arise from an explicit agreement, contract, or promise between parties.
Duty is generally thought of as something one "ought to do" based on ethical or moral principles.
Obligation tends to be viewed as something one "has to do" due to external commitments or legalities.
Duty is often more general, applying broadly to people in similar roles or situations.
ADVERTISEMENT
Obligation is more specific and individual, often tied to particular circumstances or agreements.
Duty may not always have a clear external enforcement mechanism; it often relies on internal moral compass.
Obligation often has an external enforcing entity, like a court of law, that ensures compliance.
Duty is often unconditional, not depending on any external factors to validate it.
Obligation often comes with conditions that, if unmet, can nullify the requirement to act.
Comparison Chart
Source
Role-based
Contract-based
Ethical Connotation
Moral imperative
Legal/social requirement
Scope
General
Specific
Enforcement
Often internal
Often external
Conditionality
Usually unconditional
Often conditional
Compare with Definitions
Duty
A moral or ethical responsibility tied to one's role.
As a doctor, it's her duty to do no harm.
Obligation
A binding promise or agreement.
Their contract outlined several obligations.
Duty
A legally mandated task or action.
Jury duty is a civic responsibility.
Obligation
A duty arising from ethical or moral reasoning.
His sense of obligation made him volunteer.
Duty
A tax imposed on imports or exports.
The country levied a duty on luxury goods.
Obligation
A legal or social requirement to perform an action.
He had an obligation to pay back the loan.
Duty
A duty (from "due" meaning "that which is owing"; Old French: deu, did, past participle of devoir; Latin: debere, debitum, whence "debt") is a commitment or expectation to perform some action in general or if certain circumstances arise. A duty may arise from a system of ethics or morality, especially in an honor culture.
Obligation
An act or course of action imposed by society.
Social obligations include saying please and thank you.
Duty
An act or a course of action that is required of one by position, social custom, law, or religion
The duties of being a critical care nurse.
Obligation
An obligation is a course of action that someone is required to take, whether legal or moral. Obligations are constraints; they limit freedom.
Duty
Required action or service
Jury duty.
Beyond the call of duty.
Obligation
A social, legal, or moral requirement, such as a duty, contract, or promise, that compels one to follow or avoid a particular course of action
Are you able to meet your obligations? I have an obligation to attend their wedding.
Duty
Active military service
A tour of duty.
Obligation
The constraining power of a promise, contract, law, or sense of duty
I felt no obligation to offer my advice.
Duty
Moral or legal obligation
It is your duty to tell the truth.
Obligation
(Law) A document in which a person binds himself or herself to undertake or refrain from doing a particular act.
Duty
The compulsion felt to meet such obligation
Acting out of duty.
Obligation
A debt instrument, such as a loan, mortgage, or bond.
Duty
A tax charged by a government, especially on imports.
Obligation
The state, fact, or feeling of being indebted to another for a special service or favor received
If they invite us, aren't we under obligation to invite them in return?.
Duty
The application of something for a purpose; use
The dining room table also does duty as a desk.
Obligation
The act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie to someone.
Duty
A measure of efficiency expressed as the amount of work done per unit of energy used.
Obligation
A social, legal, or moral requirement, duty, contract, or promise that compels someone to follow or avoid a particular course of action.
I feel I'm under obligation to attend my sister's wedding, even though we have a very frosty relationship.
Duty
The total volume of water required to irrigate a given area in order to cultivate a specific crop until harvest.
Obligation
A course of action imposed by society, law, or conscience by which someone is bound or restricted.
Duty
That which one is morally or legally obligated to do.
We don't have a duty to keep you here.
Obligation
(legal) A legal agreement stipulating a specified action or forbearance by a party to the agreement; the document containing such agreement.
Duty
The state of being at work and responsible for or doing a particular task.
I’m on duty from 6 pm to 6 am.
Obligation
The fact of being obliged to, that is, grateful for, something.
Duty
A tax placed on imports or exports; a tariff.
Customs duty; excise duty
Obligation
The act of obligating.
Duty
(obsolete) One's due, something one is owed; a debt or fee.
Obligation
That which obligates or constrains; the binding power of a promise, contract, oath, or vow, or of law; that which constitutes legal or moral duty.
A tender conscience is a stronger obligation than a proson.
Duty
(obsolete) Respect; reverence; regard; act of respect; homage.
Obligation
Any act by which a person becomes bound to do something to or for another, or to forbear something; external duties imposed by law, promise, or contract, by the relations of society, or by courtesy, kindness, etc.
Every man has obligations which belong to his station. Duties extend beyond obligation, and direct the affections, desires, and intentions, as well as the actions.
Duty
The efficiency of an engine, especially a steam pumping engine, as measured by work done by a certain quantity of fuel; usually, the number of pounds of water lifted one foot by one bushel of coal (94 lbs. old standard), or by 1 cwt. (112 lbs., England, or 100 lbs., United States).
Obligation
The state of being obligated or bound; the state of being indebted for an act of favor or kindness; - often used with under to indicate being in that state; as, to place others under obligations to one.
Duty
That which is due; payment.
When thou receivest money for thy labor or ware, thou receivest thy duty.
Obligation
A bond with a condition annexed, and a penalty for nonfulfillment. In a larger sense, it is an acknowledgment of a duty to pay a certain sum or do a certain things.
Duty
That which a person is bound by moral obligation to do, or refrain from doing; that which one ought to do; service morally obligatory.
Forgetting his duty toward God, his sovereign lord, and his country.
Obligation
The social force that binds you to your obligations and the courses of action demanded by that force;
We must instill a sense of duty in our children
Every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty
Duty
Hence, any assigned service or business; as, the duties of a policeman, or a soldier; to be on duty.
With records sweet of duties done.
To employ him on the hardest and most imperative duty.
Duty is a graver term than obligation. A duty hardly exists to do trivial things; but there may be an obligation to do them.
Obligation
The state of being obligated to do or pay something;
He is under an obligation to finish the job
Duty
Specifically, obedience or submission due to parents and superiors.
Obligation
A personal relation in which one is indebted for a service or favor
Duty
Respect; reverence; regard; act of respect; homage.
Obligation
A legal agreement specifying a payment or action and the penalty for failure to comply
Duty
The efficiency of an engine, especially a steam pumping engine, as measured by work done by a certain quantity of fuel; usually, the number of pounds of water lifted one foot by one bushel of coal (94 lbs. old standard), or by 1 cwt. (112 lbs., England, or 100 lbs., United States).
Obligation
A debt of gratitude or moral indebtedness.
She felt an obligation to help her mentor.
Duty
Tax, toll, impost, or customs; excise; any sum of money required by government to be paid on the importation, exportation, or consumption of goods.
Duty
Work that you are obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons;
The duties of the job
Duty
The social force that binds you to your obligations and the courses of action demanded by that force;
We must instill a sense of duty in our children
Every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty
Duty
A government tax on imports or exports;
They signed a treaty to lower duties on trade between their countries
Duty
An obligation associated with a position or office.
His duty as president is to uphold the Constitution.
Duty
A specific task or function.
Her duty was to oversee the project.
Common Curiosities
What is Duty?
Duty is a moral or legal responsibility often tied to a specific role or task.
Is Duty always legal?
No, duty can also be a moral or ethical responsibility.
What is Obligation?
Obligation is a moral, social, or legal requirement to perform a specific action.
Can Obligation be unconditional?
Obligation is often conditional, subject to specific terms or requirements.
Do Duty and Obligation overlap?
Yes, they can overlap, especially when a duty is codified into law, becoming an obligation.
Can Obligation be moral?
Yes, obligation can arise from moral or ethical considerations.
Can Duty be conditional?
Duty is often unconditional, relying on moral or ethical imperatives.
Is Duty enforceable by law?
Some duties are legally enforceable, but others rely on ethical norms.
Is Obligation legally enforceable?
Many obligations are enforceable by law, especially if tied to a contract.
Is Obligation contract-based?
Obligation often arises from contracts, promises, or explicit agreements.
Is Duty role-specific?
Often, duty is associated with a specific societal role, like a job or familial position.
How is Duty different from Obligation?
Duty is often a broader, role-based responsibility, while obligation is usually more specific and often contract-based.
Can you negate an Obligation?
Some obligations can be negated if certain conditions are not met.
How are Duty and Obligation similar?
Both involve some form of responsibility or requirement to act.
Can you refuse a Duty?
Refusing a duty can have social, ethical, or sometimes legal consequences.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Bet vs. Bit
Next Comparison
Embody vs. ImbodyAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
