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beholden

be·hold·en
B b

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [bih-hohl-duh n]
    • /bɪˈhoʊl dən/
    • /bɪˈhəʊl.dən/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [bih-hohl-duh n]
    • /bɪˈhoʊl dən/

Definitions of beholden word

  • adjective beholden If you are beholden to someone, you are in debt to them in some way or you feel that you have a duty to them because they have helped you. 3
  • adjective beholden indebted; obliged; under a moral obligation 3
  • abbreviation BEHOLDEN behold 3
  • adjective beholden obliged to feel grateful; owing thanks; indebted 3
  • adjective beholden obligated; indebted: a man beholden to no one. 1
  • adjective beholden indebted, obligated 1

Information block about the term

Origin of beholden

First appearance:

before 1300
One of the 15% oldest English words
1300-50; Middle English, adj. use of beholden, old past participle of behold

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Beholden

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

beholden popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 73% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

beholden usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for beholden

adj beholden

  • obliged — to require or constrain, as by law, command, conscience, or force of necessity.
  • obligated — to bind or oblige morally or legally: to obligate oneself to purchase a building.
  • grateful — warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful: I am grateful to you for your help.
  • owing — owed, unpaid, or due for payment: to pay what is owing.
  • bound — Bound is the past tense and past participle of bind.

Antonyms for beholden

adjective beholden

Top questions with beholden

  • what does beholden mean?
  • what is beholden?
  • what does the word beholden mean?

See also

Matching words

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