What does "duty" mean?
That which one is morally or legally obligated to do.
Duty
/ˈdjuː.ti/ name, noun
name, noun ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: That which one is morally or legally obligated to do.
- Grammar: duty is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: obligation, responsibility, tariff, accountability.
- Useful contrasts: human rights, legal right, recreational activity.
- Usage evidence: You must account for your neglect of duty.
How to use "duty"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "duty" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "duty" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "duty" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "duty" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "duty" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "obligation" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "duty", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 That which one is morally or legally obligated to do. countable, uncountable
"Do your duty by me! -No, we don't have a duty to keep you abreast."
- 2 work that you are obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons wordnet
- 3 The state of being at work and responsible for or doing a particular task. uncountable
"I’m on duty from 6 pm to 6 am."
- 4 the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force wordnet
- 5 A tax placed on imports or exports; a tariff. countable
"customs duty; excise duty"
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 a government tax on imports or exports wordnet
- 7 One's due, something one is owed; a debt or fee. countable, obsolete, uncountable
"Take that which is thy duty, and goo thy waye."
- 8 Respect; reverence; regard; act of respect; homage. countable, obsolete, uncountable
"my duty to you"
- 9 The efficiency of an engine in work done per unit of fuel; particularly, the number of pounds of water which a steam pumping engine can raise one foot by burning one bushel or hundredweight of coal. countable, uncountable
- 10 The act of urination or defecation, especially for a dog. countable, euphemistic, uncountable
"The basic idea in housebreaking is not to wait until the puppy sins and then punish him; it is to call nature to your aid and thus make it easy for him to do his duty."
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"You must account for your neglect of duty."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "duty"?
Common synonyms include: obligation, responsibility, tariff, accountability, action item, active service.
How do you use "duty" in a sentence?
You must account for your neglect of duty.
How do you pronounce "duty"?
Pronounced /ˈdjuː.ti/.
Etymology
From Middle English duete, from Middle English dewe + Middle English -te. Equivalent to due + -ty.