Added 9 October 2026
ought
/ɔːt/ verb
In Latin: dēbeō Wiktionary
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about ought at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
verb
-
Indicating duty or obligation.
I ought to vote in the coming election.
-
Indicating advisability or prudence.
You ought to always stand back from the edge of the platform.
-
Indicating desirability.
He ought to read the book; it was very good.
pronoun
- Alternative spelling of aught; anything
adverb
- Alternative spelling of aught; at all, to any degree.
Origin
From Middle English oughte, aughte, aȝte, ahte, from Old English āhte, first and third person singular past tense of Old English āgan (“to own, possess”), equivalent to owe + -t. Cognate with Sanskrit ईश्वर (īśvará, “capable of, liable”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)