oughtmodal verb [ + to infinitive ]
us/ɔt/present tense oughtought modal verb [ + to infinitive ] (DUTY)
used to say that it is necessary or desirable to perform the action expressed in the verb:
We ought to clean up before we go home.
She really ought to apologize.
ought modal verb [ + to infinitive ] (PROBABLE)
used to say that the action expressed in the verb is probable or expected:
He ought to be home by seven o’clock.
The curtains ought to be ready on Monday.
At his age, he ought to have known better.