different between amicable vs obliging

English

Etymology

From Late Latin am?c?bilis (“friendly”); see amiable.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?æ.m?.k?.b?l/

Adjective

amicable (comparative more amicable, superlative most amicable)

1. Showing friendliness or goodwill.

   They hoped to reach an amicable agreement.

   He was an amicable fellow with an easy smile.

Usage notes

Amicable is particularly used of relationships or agreements (especially legal proceedings, such as divorce), with meaning ranging from simply “not quarrelsome, mutually consenting” to “quite friendly”. By contrast, the similar term amiable is especially used to mean “pleasant, lovable”, such as an “amiable smile”.

Derived terms

Related terms

• amiable
• amity

Translations

References

Further reading

• amicable in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• amicable in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• amicable at OneLook Dictionary Search

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??bla?d????/
• Rhymes: -a?d???
• Hyphenation: ob?lig?ing

Adjective

obliging (comparative more obliging, superlative most obliging)

1. Happy and ready to do favours for others.

Synonyms

• accommodating, willing

Derived terms

• obligingly
• obligingness

Translations

Verb

obliging

1. present participle of oblige

Noun

obliging (plural obligings)

1. The imposition of an obligation.
   • 1840, Alexander MacDonald, Summary of the Catholic Religion

     Many were the finings, and excommunications, and the obligings to do penances, that took place at this time.