ought

1 of 4

auxiliary verb

ˈȯt 

—used to express obligation

ought to pay our debts

, advisability

ought to take care of yourself

, natural expectation

ought to be here by now

, or logical consequence

the result ought to be infinity

ought

2 of 4

verb

ˈȯ(ḵ)t 

transitive verb

1

chiefly Scotland : possess

2

chiefly Scotland : owe

ought

3 of 4

noun

ˈȯt 

: moral obligation : duty

ought

4 of 4

ˈȯt  ˈät 

archaic spelling of aught

Synonyms

Auxiliary verb

• have (to)
• must
• need
• shall
• should

Examples of ought in a Sentence

Auxiliary verb

you ought to buy him a new book to replace the one you lost

Recent Examples on the Web

Auxiliary verb

But forward-thinking boards ought to start looking at where a company is going—ask who’s ready to deal with technological change or a fast-growing diverse population—to find their next chair, rather than assume a former CEO is most qualified. —Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 3 Feb. 2023

Executives and other representatives, like celebrity endorsers, ought to tread carefully, experts say, and so should investors. —Ashley Cullins, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Feb. 2023

Verb

Marketing to younger consumers ought to amplify sustainability and social responsibility, Mr. McMillan said, subjects that wine is well-positioned to highlight. —Eric Asimov, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2023

Those who find monetary success in life ought to use their position to serve others, said West. —Ryan Anderson, Arkansas Online, 17 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Auxiliary verb

Middle English aghten, aughten, oughten "to be obliged to, owe," from construal as an independent verb of aghte, aughte, oughte "possessed, owned, owed," past indicative & subjunctive of aghen, aughen, owen "to possess, own, owe," going back to Old English āhte, 1st & 3rd person singular past indicative of āgan "to possess, own" — more at owe

Verb

early Scots aucht "to own, owe, be incumbent on," past tense used as present of aw "to own, be under an obligation, owe," going back to Old English āgan "to possess, own" — more at owe

Noun

derivative of ought entry 1

First Known Use

Auxiliary Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1678, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ought

helping verb

ˈȯt

1

—used to express duty

we ought to pay our debts

2

—used to express what it would be wise to do

you ought to take care of yourself

3

—used to express what is naturally expected

they ought to be here by now

4

—used to express what is correct

the result ought to be zero