ought

Definition

  • noun: moral obligation
  • archaic variant of 'aught'
  • used to indicate what is expected
  • synonyms: possess, owe, duty

Examples

  • It 'ought not' ('to') make any difference. [=(more commonly) it shouldn't make any difference]

  • Children 'ought not' [='should not'] run near the pool.

  • If my math is correct, the result 'ought to' be zero.

Movie quotes

  • (..) A little wooden boy. Now, who'd have-- A wooden boy! Look, Giddy, look! lt's amazing. A live puppet without strings. A thing like that ought to be worth a fortune to someone. Now let me see. That's it! Stromboli! Why, that fat old faker would give his-- Listen. or my name isn't HonestJohn. (..)
    1940 Pinocchio