noblesse oblige
[ noh-bles oh-bleezh; French naw-bles aw-bleezh ]
/ noʊˈblɛs oʊˈbliʒ; French nɔˈblɛs ɔˈbliʒ /
noun
the moral obligation of those of high birth, powerful social position, etc., to act with honor, kindliness, generosity, etc.
Origin of noblesse oblige
1830–40; < French: literally, nobility obliges
Words nearby noblesse oblige
noble rot,
noble savage,
noble-minded,
nobleman,
noblesse,
noblesse oblige,
noblesville,
noblewoman,
nobly,
nobody,
nobody home
British Dictionary definitions for noblesse oblige
noblesse oblige
/ (nəʊˈblɛs əʊˈbliːʒ, French nɔblɛs ɔbliʒ) /
noun
often ironic
the supposed obligation of nobility to be honourable and generous
Word Origin for noblesse oblige
French, literally: nobility obliges
Cultural definitions for noblesse oblige
noblesse oblige
[ (noh-bles oh-bleezh) ]
The belief that the wealthy and privileged are obliged to help those less fortunate. From French, meaning “nobility obligates.”