ought

Meaning

Verb

1. (auxiliary, dated, formal) Indicating duty or obligation.
2. (auxiliary, dated, formal) Indicating advisability or prudence.
3. (auxiliary, dated, formal) Indicating desirability.
4. (auxiliary, dated, formal) 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.

Noun

Alternative spelling of aught; cipher, zero, nought.

Synonyms

should

must

have

have to

require

need

supposed to

try

would

be necessary

need to

is necessary

for toffee

belong

be bound ''

duty

interjection

of course

ought to

shall

suitable

Translations

sollen

dever

dovere

πρέπει

moeten

devoir

deber

behoren

devrait

sollte

θα έπρεπε

zero

0

dēbeō

οφείλω

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɔːt/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: oughte

Inherited from Old English: āhte

Cognate with Sanskrit: ईश्वर

In summary

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”).

Sentences

Had I known what I ought , what I dared to do !