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Duty: meaning, definitions and examples

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duty

 

[ ˈdjuːti ]

Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

legal obligation

A moral or legal obligation; a responsibility. Duties may be imposed by law, by one's conscience, or by custom. Fulfilling one's duties is often seen as honorable and necessary for a functioning society.

Synonyms

chore, obligation, responsibility, task

Examples of usage

  • He felt it was his duty to help his elderly neighbor.
  • She performed her duties as a nurse with dedication and compassion.
Context #2 | Noun

job or task

A task or job that one is required to perform. Duties can vary in nature and scope, ranging from simple everyday chores to complex professional responsibilities.

Synonyms

assignment, function, mission, role

Examples of usage

  • It is my duty to make sure the project is completed on time.
  • Her duties as a teacher include lesson planning, grading, and student evaluation.
Context #3 | Noun

tax or fee

A tax or fee imposed by the government on goods, services, or activities. Duties are often used to regulate trade and generate revenue for the government.

Examples of usage

  • The duty on imported cars has been increased to protect the domestic industry.

Translations

Translations of the word "duty" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dever

🇮🇳 कर्तव्य

🇩🇪 Pflicht

🇮🇩 tugas

🇺🇦 обов'язок

🇵🇱 obowiązek

🇯🇵 義務 (ぎむ)

🇫🇷 devoir

🇪🇸 deber

🇹🇷 görev

🇰🇷 의무 (ui-mu)

🇸🇦 واجب

🇨🇿 povinnost

🇸🇰 povinnosť

🇨🇳 职责 (zhízé)

🇸🇮 dolžnost

🇮🇸 skylda

🇰🇿 міндет

🇬🇪 ვალდებულება

🇦🇿 vəzifə

🇲🇽 deber

Etymology

The word 'duty' originated from the Middle English word 'dute', which came from the Anglo-French 'deuete' and ultimately from the Latin word 'debitus', meaning 'something owed'. The concept of duty has been integral to moral and legal systems throughout history, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling one's obligations and responsibilities.

See also: due, overdue, subdue, undue, unduly.

Word Frequency Rank

At #623 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.