Definition of OUGHT

ought

Plural: oughts

Verb

  • simple past of owe
  • Indicating duty or obligation.
  • Indicating advisability or prudence.
  • Indicating desirability.
  • Indicating likelihood or probability.

Pron

  • Alternative spelling of aught; anything

Adv

  • Alternative spelling of aught; at all, to any degree.

Noun

  • A statement of what ought to be the case as contrasted with what is the case.
  • Alternative spelling of aught; cipher, zero, nought.

Examples

  • "Do you think we ought to leave now?"
  • "He ought to read the book; it was very good."
  • "I ought to vote in the coming election."
  • "We ought to arrive by noon if we take the motorway, shouldn't we?"
  • "You ought to always stand back from the edge of the platform."

Origin / Etymology

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”).

Synonyms

be supposed to, should

Scrabble Score: 9

ought is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
ought is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
ought is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 10

ought is a valid Words With Friends word