Definitions for ought
ɔtought

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. oughtnoun

   cipher, zero, nought.

2. Etymology: ahte, past tense of agan

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Oughtnoun

   Any thing; not nothing.

   Etymology: awhit , that is, a whit, Saxon.

   For ought that I can understand, there is no part but the bare English pale, in which the Irish have not the greatest footing. Edmund Spenser, on Ireland.

   He asked him if he saw ought. Mark viii. 23.

   To do ought good never will be our task;
   But ever to do ill our sole delight. John Milton, Par. Lost.

   Universal Lord! be bounteous still
   To give us only good; and if the night
   Have gather’d ought of evil, or conceal’d,
   Disperse it, as now light dispels the dark. John Milton.

2. Oughtverb imperfect.

   but it has often a present signification.

   Etymology: This word the etymologists make the preterite of owe,

   1. [Preterite of owe.] Owed; was bound to pay; have been indebted.

   Apprehending the occasion, I will add a continuance to that happy motion, and besides give you some tribute of the love and duty I long have ought you. Henry Spelman.

   This blood which men by treason sought,
   That followed, sir, which to myself I ought. Dryden.

   2. To be obliged by duty.

   Judges ought to remember, that their office is to interpret law, and not to make or give law. Francis Bacon.

   Morals criticks ought to show. Alexander Pope.

   She acts just as she ought,
   But never, never reach’d one generous thought. Alexander Pope.

   3. To be fit; to be necessary.

   If grammar ought to be taught, it must be to one that can speak the language already. John Locke.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:3.5 / 2 votes

1. Ought

   awt, n. (same as Aught) a vulgar corr. of nought.—adv. (Scot.) Ought′lings, at all, in any degree.

2. Ought

   awt, v.i. to be under obligation: to be proper or necessary.—n. Ought′ness, rightness. [A.S. áhte, pa.t. of ágan, to owe.]

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'ought' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2070

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'ought' in Written Corpus Frequency: #675

3. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'ought' in Verbs Frequency: #339

Anagrams for ought »

1. tough

How to pronounce ought?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say ought in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of ought in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of ought in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of ought in a Sentence

1. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia:

   They come from lesser schools where they do not feel that they're being pushed ahead in classes that are too fast for them, i'm just not impressed by the fact that the University of Texas may have fewer. Maybe it ought to have fewer. And maybe some -- you know, when you take more, the number of blacks, really competent blacks, admitted to lesser schools, turns out to be less.

2. Matt Gaetz:

   I believe that we ought to embrace the spirit and style of President Trump.

3. Lindsey Graham:

   While I'm glad the majority leader believes Leader McConnell would be Leader McConnell, it's a mistake not to pass legislation to protect the investigation, we ought to head off a constitutional crisis at the pass, rather than waiting until it's too late. ... I hope Senate Judiciary Committee moves forward with a bill, and that members of Senator McConnell's caucus push Senator McConnell to reconsider.

4. Catherine Campisi:

   Our coalition continues to oppose this deeply flawed legislation because of the dangers it poses to those living with disabilities or in vulnerable circumstances, particularly in a state as ethnically and economically diverse as California, assisted suicide is inherently dangerous to those who are expensive to care for or who lack access to proper medical care, and rather than open up that Pandora's box, we ought to be exploring how to expand hospice and palliative care to address the needs of those terminally ill.

5. Pat Roberts:

   I admire your tenacity and I admire your position. There’s a great organization you ought to take part of here in Washington – it’s called The Flat Earth Society with regards to whether there were any politics in this or not.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Ought
2. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=ought
3. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=ought