Duty — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈdü-tē/ du·ty

Meaning & Definition of Duty

Duty (noun)

  1. conduct due to parents and superiors, respect
  2. obligatory tasks, conduct, service, or functions that arise from one's position (as in life or in a group)
  3. assigned service or business

Duty (adjective)

  1. done as a duty
  2. being on duty, assigned to specified tasks or functions

Duty (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a charge usually of money collected by the government from people or businesses for public use

    "the shop at the airport charges no duty on tourist memorabilia"

    similar: assessment, imposition, impost, levy, tax
    related: direct tax, personal tax, capitation, custom(s), excise, hidden tax, income tax, poll tax, property tax, sales tax, single tax, sin tax, tariff, toll, tribute, value-added tax, withholding tax, supertax, surcharge, surtax, death tax, estate tax, inheritance tax, flat tax, proportional tax

  2. a piece of work that needs to be done regularly

    "the regular duties of a lifeguard"

    similar: assignment, chore, job, task
    related: chare, endeavor, enterprise, project, stint, undertaking, care, charge, commission, responsibility, function, mission, office, operation, post, errand, circuit, round, route

  3. something one must do because of prior agreement

    "I must obey the call of duty and serve my country"

    similar: burden, charge, commitment, devoir, do (archaic), imperative, incumbency, need, obligation, office, responsibility
    related: oath, pledge, promise, troth, vow, word, arrangement, prearrangement, setup, compact, contract, covenant, pact, trust, debt, payment, tribute, compulsion, constraint, restraint, must, requirement, coercion, duress, force, appointment, engagement, reservation, onus
    near: grace, postponement, stay, discharge, ease, exemption, release, relief, waiver, loophole, alternative, choice, option, pick, preference, selection

Related Entry: Heavy-duty (adjective)

Heavy-duty is a different word from Duty. The synonyms below are for heavy-duty, not for duty.

  1. extreme in degree, power, or effect

    "some heavy-duty lobbying on the part of the president was necessary in order to get the bill passed"

    similar: acute, almighty, blistering, deep, dreadful, excruciating, explosive, exquisite, fearful, fearsome, ferocious, fierce, frightful, furious, ghastly, hard, heavy, hellacious, intense, intensive, keen, profound, terrible, vehement, vicious, violent
    related: accentuated, aggravated, concentrated, deepened, emphasized, enhanced, heightened, intensified, magnified, stressed, exhaustive, thorough, harsh, rigorous, severe
    opposite: light, moderate, soft
    near: feeble, weak, shallow, superficial, moderated, qualified, alleviated, eased, lightened, toned (down), abated, decreased, diminished, lessened, reduced, subdued

  2. having great power or influence

    "a group of heavy-duty politicians and other notables attended the gala"

    similar: heavy, important, influential, mighty, potent, powerful, puissant, significant, strong
    related: high-level, senior, top, able, capable, competent, effective, efficient, authoritarian, autocratic, despotic, dictatorial, magisterial, tyrannical, celebrated, distinguished, dominant, eminent, famed, famous, great, illustrious, noble, notable, noteworthy, notorious, outstanding, preeminent, prestigious, prominent, renowned, dynamic, energetic, forceful, high-powered, robust, vigorous
    opposite: helpless, impotent, insignificant, little, powerless, unimportant, weak
    near: feeble, flimsy, frail, infirm, anonymous, nameless, obscure, uncelebrated, unknown, incapable, incompetent, ineffective, inept, inexpert, unfit, unqualified, unskilled, unskillful

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Duty

The most common words with a similar meaning to Duty:

Archaic: do
assessment, imposition, impost, levy, tax, assignment, chore, job, task, burden, charge, commitment, devoir, imperative, incumbency, need, obligation, office, responsibility

Related Words for Duty

direct tax, personal tax, capitation, custom(s), excise, hidden tax, income tax, poll tax, property tax, sales tax, single tax, sin tax, tariff, toll, tribute, value-added tax, withholding tax, supertax, surcharge, surtax, death tax, estate tax, inheritance tax, flat tax, proportional tax, chare, endeavor, enterprise, project, stint

Near Antonyms of Duty

grace, postponement, stay, discharge, ease, exemption, release, relief, waiver, loophole, alternative, choice, option, pick, preference, selection

Word Forms of Duty

Inflections: duties

Origin & Etymology of Duty

Middle English duete, from Anglo-French deueté, dueté, from deu due

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Duty

Words & Phrases Containing Duty

duty-free, duty to retreat, duty bound, death duty, heavy-duty, line of duty, off duty, on duty

Frequently Asked Questions about Duty

What does "Duty" mean?

"Duty" means conduct due to parents and superiors, respect. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: conduct due to parents and superiors, respect. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Duty"?

Other words for "Duty" include assessment, imposition, impost, levy, tax, assignment, chore and job. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Duty" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Duty"?

There are 89 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Duty". Common alternatives include assessment, imposition, impost, levy, tax, assignment, chore, job, task and burden.

How do you use "Duty" in a sentence?

Examples of "Duty" in a sentence: "the shop at the airport charges no duty on tourist memorabilia"; "the regular duties of a lifeguard"; "I must obey the call of duty and serve my country".

Is "Duty" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Duty" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Duty" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Duty" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Duty"?

"Duty" is pronounced /ˈdü-tē/ and divided into syllables as du·ty.

What is the origin of the word "Duty"?

"Duty" comes from Middle English duete, from Anglo-French deueté, dueté, from deu due. First known use: 13th century.