duties

noun

(countable, uncountable) That which one is morally or legally obligated to do.

(uncountable) The state of being at work and responsible for or doing a particular task.

(countable) A tax placed on imports or exports; a tariff.

(euphemistic) The act of urination or defecation, especially for a dog.

(engineering) 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.

A surname.

(obsolete) One's due, something one is owed; a debt or fee.

(obsolete) Respect; reverence; regard; act of respect; homage.

Roots

deuedut- · Old French · owed, that which is owing -te-ie · Old French · state, quality -s-s · Old English · plural

Synonyms & related words for duties

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Words related to duties

Explore words related to duties — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include responsibility, obligation, tasks, chores, assignments, job, tidewaiter, roles. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Where does duties come from?

The word duties breaks down into 3 roots of Old French and Old English origin: dut, from Old French deue (“owed, that which is owing”); -ie, from Old French -te (“state, quality”); and -s, from Old English -s (“plural”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.