If something is obligatory, you must do it because of a rule or a law.
Most women will be offered an ultrasound scan during pregnancy, although it's notobligatory.
These rates do not include the charge for obligatory medical consultations.
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe something as obligatory, you mean that it is done from habit or custom and not because the person involved has thought carefully about it or really means it.
His lips curved up in the obligatory smile, acknowledging the compliment.
She was wearing the obligatory sweater and pearl necklace.
More Synonyms of obligatory
obligatory in British English
(ɒˈblɪɡətərɪ, -trɪ)
adjective
1.
required to be done, obtained, possessed, etc
2.
of the nature of or constituting an obligation
Derived forms
obligatorily (obˈligatorily)
adverb
obligatory in American English
(əˈblɪgəˌtɔri; ˈɑbləgəˌtɔri)
adjective
1.
legally or morally binding; constituting, or having the nature of, an obligation; required
2. Biology
obligate
Derived forms
obligatorily (obˈligaˌtorily)
adverb
Word origin
LL obligatorius
Examples of 'obligatory' in a sentence
obligatory
In some places a book is almost obligatory.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Lunch together was almost always obligatory.
The Sun (2016)
It sounded reasonable, almost obligatory.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
obligatory
British English: obligatory ADJECTIVE
If something is obligatory, you must do it because of a rule or a law.
These medical tests are not obligatory.
American English: obligatory
Brazilian Portuguese: obrigatório
Chinese: 规定性的
European Spanish: obligatorio
French: obligatoire
German: obligatorisch
Italian: obbligatorio
Japanese: 義務的な
Korean: 의무적인
European Portuguese: obrigatório
Latin American Spanish: obligatorio
Chinese translation of 'obligatory'
obligatory
(əˈblɪɡətərɪ)
adj
强(強)制性的 (qiángzhìxìng de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
required or compulsory because of custom or law
Third-party insurance is obligatory when driving in Italy.
Synonyms
compulsory
compulsory military conscription
required
This book is required reading.
necessary
Is your journey really necessary?
Please make all the necessary arrangements.
essential
Two essential elements must be proven: motive and opportunity.
demanded
binding
a legally binding commitment
enforced
Surgery would probably have meant an enforced retirement from the sport.
prescribed
statutory
mandatory
Attendance is mandatory.
imperative
It's imperative to know your rights at such a time.
unavoidable
Managers said the job losses were unavoidable.
requisite
She filled in the requisite paperwork.
inescapable
coercive
OB (textmessaging)
de rigueur (French)
Opposites
voluntary
,
optional
,
discretionary
,
elective
,
noncompulsory
2 (adjective)
Definition
required or compulsory because of custom or law
This hotel has every facility, including the obligatory swimming-pool.
Synonyms
customary
It is customary to offer a drink or a snack to guests.
regular
Children are encouraged to make reading a regular routine.
usual
She's smiling her usual, friendly smile.
popular
normal
The two countries have resumed normal diplomatic relations.
The hospital claimed they were simply following their normal procedure.
familiar
They are already familiar faces on our TV screens.
conventional
the cost of fuel and electricity used by a conventional system
fashionable
It became fashionable to eat certain foods.
OB (textmessaging)
bog-standard (British, Irish, slang)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of binding
Definition
imposing an obligation or duty
a legally binding commitment
Synonyms
compulsory,
necessary,
mandatory,
imperative,
obligatory,
conclusive,
irrevocable,
unalterable,
indissoluble
in the sense of conventional
Definition
established by accepted usage or general agreement
the cost of fuel and electricity used by a conventional system
Synonyms
ordinary,
standard,
normal,
regular,
usual,
vanilla (slang),
habitual,
bog-standard (British, Irish, slang),
common
in the sense of enforced
Surgery would probably have meant an enforced retirement from the sport.
Synonyms
imposed,
required,
necessary,
compelled,
dictated,
prescribed,
compulsory,
mandatory,
constrained,
ordained,
obligatory,
unavoidable,
involuntary
Synonyms of 'obligatory'
obligatory
Explore 'obligatory' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of essential
Definition
basic or fundamental
Two essential elements must be proven: motive and opportunity.
Synonyms
fundamental,
main,
basic,
radical,
key,
principal,
constitutional,
cardinal,
inherent,
elementary,
innate,
hard-wired,
intrinsic,
elemental,
immanent
in the sense of familiar
Definition
frequent or common
They are already familiar faces on our TV screens.
Synonyms
well-known,
household,
everyday,
recognized,
common,
stock,
domestic,
repeated,
ordinary,
conventional,
routine,
frequent,
accustomed,
customary,
mundane,
recognizable,
common or garden (informal)
in the sense of fashionable
Definition
popular among well-off or famous people
It became fashionable to eat certain foods.
Synonyms
popular,
in fashion,
trendy (British, informal),
cool (slang),
in (informal),
latest,
the new,
happening (old-fashioned, informal),
current,
modern,
on trend,
with it (old-fashioned, informal),
usual,
smart,
hip (old-fashioned, slang),
prevailing (archaic),
stylish,
chic,
up-to-date,
customary,
genteel (archaic),
in vogue,
all the rage,
up-to-the-minute,
modish,
du jour,
à la mode,
designer,
voguish (informal),
trendsetting,
all the go (rare),
culty,
schmick (Australian, informal),
funky (old-fashioned)
in the sense of imperative
Definition
extremely urgent
It's imperative to know your rights at such a time.
Synonyms
urgent,
essential,
pressing,
vital,
crucial (informal),
compulsory,
indispensable,
obligatory,
exigent
in the sense of mandatory
Definition
obligatory
Attendance is mandatory.
Synonyms
compulsory,
required,
binding,
obligatory,
requisite
in the sense of necessary
Definition
needed in order to obtain the desired result
Is your journey really necessary?Please make all the necessary arrangements.
Synonyms
needed,
demanded,
required,
called for,
essential,
vital,
compulsory,
incumbent (formal),
mandatory,
imperative,
indispensable,
obligatory,
requisite,
de rigueur,
of the essence,
needful,
must-have
in the sense of normal
Definition
usual, regular, or typical
The two countries have resumed normal diplomatic relations.The hospital claimed they were simply following their normal procedure.
Synonyms
usual,
common,
standard,
average,
natural,
regular,
ordinary,
acknowledged,
typical,
conventional,
routine,
accustomed,
habitual,
run-of-the-mill
in the sense of regular
Definition
following a set rule or normal practice
Children are encouraged to make reading a regular routine.