duty

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

deudu- · Anglo-French · owed, due -te-ty · Old French · quality, condition

Synonyms for duty

obligationn responsibilityn tariffn devoirn onusn servicen choren liabilityn burdenn impostn

Synonyms & related words for duty

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Words related to duty

Explore words related to duty — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include frankalmoign, bounden, tidewaiter, inofficious, invaliding, dutiable, dutiful, obligated. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for duty

Common synonyms for duty include obligation, responsibility, tariff, devoir, onus, service, chore, liability — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does duty come from?

The word duty breaks down into 2 roots of Anglo-French and Old French origin: du, from Anglo-French deu (“owed, due”); and -ty, from Old French -te (“quality, condition”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.