obligatory

adjective
UK: /əˈblɪɡətəri/
US: /əˈblɪɡətɔːri/

  1. If something is obligatory, you must do it because of a rule or law.

    1. Wearing a seatbelt is obligatory in this state, so do it.
    2. It is obligatory for all students to attend the graduation ceremony, without exception.

  2. Something that is expected or always happens in a particular situation or as part of a custom.

    1. The party included the obligatory speeches and thank-yous from everyone.
    2. He made the obligatory phone call to his mother on her birthday; it's a tradition.

Synonyms

compulsory necessary required requisite mandatory

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "obligatory" in English means: If something is obligatory, you must do it because of a rule or law., Something that is expected or always happens in a particular situation or as part of a custom..

The phonetic transcription of "obligatory" is /əˈblɪɡətəri/ in British English and /əˈblɪɡətɔːri/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "obligatory": compulsory, necessary, required, requisite, mandatory.

Example usage of "obligatory": "Wearing a seatbelt is obligatory in this state, so do it.". More examples on the page.