Words / B2

uh-BLIG-uh-tree/əˈblɪɡətri/

Obligatory means required by a rule: obligatory training, it is obligatory to. Compulsory is a close twin (already in the dictionary); optional is the opposite; mandatory is a legal cousin. Obligation is the noun. In speech, you have to / it is required is enough. Do not use obligatory for a strong social habit unless you mean it has real force (the obligatory photo at a wedding is slightly ironic).

Meaning

Required by a rule or law; you have no choice.

Examples

• “Hard hats are obligatory on the site.”
• “A hard hat is obligatory beyond this point, not “recommended”.”
• “The course includes an obligatory placement, which you cannot swap for an essay.”

Good to know

obligatory + noun; it is obligatory to + verb. Close: compulsory / mandatory. Opposite: optional. Ironic social sense exists — keep it light.

Near in meaning

compulsory

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