Definitions for ought
ɔtought

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. oughtnoun

   cipher, zero, nought.

2. Etymology: ahte, past tense of agan

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

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 Dictionary(3.50 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

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. Michael Isikoff:

   NBC has the full tape of the original Lisa Myers interview, nBC ought to check its archive and run the full interview.

2. Raymond Chandler:

   Common sense always speaks too late. Common sense is the guy who tells you ought to have had your brakes relined last week before you smashed a front end this week. Common sense is the Monday morning quarterback who could have won the ball game if he had been on the team. But he never is. He's high up in the stands with a flask on his hip. Common sense is the little man in a gray suit who never makes a mistake in addition. But it's always somebody else's money he's adding up.

3. Francis Bacon:

   He of whom many are afraid ought to fear many.

4. Ben Shapiro:

   If they are so pathetic that they can't be bothered to show up and discuss my fact-based perspectives with me, they don't belong at a major university, perhaps they ought to try pre-school rather than college, where they can feel safe and enjoy nap time, too.

5. Senate Republicans:

   We ought not be filibustering things like equal voting rights.

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