# duty

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈdjuː.ti/ · frequency rank #1,994

## Definitions
1. That which one is morally or legally obligated to do.
2. The state of being at work and responsible for or doing a particular task.
3. A tax placed on imports or exports; a tariff.
4. One's due, something one is owed; a debt or fee.
5. Respect; reverence; regard; act of respect; homage.
6. The efficiency of an engine in work done per unit of fuel; particularly, the number of pounds of water which a steam pumping engine can raise one foot by burning one bushel or hundredweight of coal.
7. The act of urination or defecation, especially for a dog.

## Etymology
From Middle English duete, from Middle English dewe + Middle English -te. Equivalent to due + -ty.

## Easily confused with
- **dy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/duty-vs-dy)
- **DT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dt-vs-duty)
- **day** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/day-vs-duty)
- **due** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/due-vs-duty)
- **dry** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dry-vs-duty)
- **duo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/duo-vs-duty)
- **dot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dot-vs-duty)
- **dug** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dug-vs-duty)
- **DIY** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/diy-vs-duty)
- **dub** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dub-vs-duty)
- **duh** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/duh-vs-duty)
- **dat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dat-vs-duty)
- **DUI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dui-vs-duty)
- **dun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dun-vs-duty)
- **dum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dum-vs-duty)
- **dey** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dey-vs-duty)
- **dup** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dup-vs-duty)
- **dud** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dud-vs-duty)
- **DDT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ddt-vs-duty)
- **dit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dit-vs-duty)

## Common misspellings (6)
`dduty`, `dtuy`, `dutty`, `dutyy`, `duyt`, `udty`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/duty