If something is compulsory, you must do it or accept it, because it is the law or because someone in a position of authority says you must.
In East Germany, learning Russian was compulsory.
Many young men are trying to get away from compulsory military conscription.
Synonyms: obligatory, forced, required, binding More Synonyms of compulsory
compulsorily (kəmpʌlsərɪli)adverb [ADVERB with verb, ADVERB adjective]
Five of the company's senior managers have been made compulsorily redundant.
compulsory in British English
(kəmˈpʌlsərɪ)
adjective
1.
required by regulations or laws; obligatory
compulsory education
2.
involving or employing compulsion; compelling; necessary; essential
Derived forms
compulsorily (comˈpulsorily)
adverb
compulsoriness (comˈpulsoriness)
noun
compulsory in American English
(kəmˈpʌlsəri)
adjective
1.
that must be done, undergone, etc.; obligatory; required
2.
compelling; coercive
Derived forms
compulsorily (comˈpulsorily)
adverb
compulsoriness (comˈpulsoriness)
noun
Word origin
ML compulsorius < LL compulsor, one who compels
Examples of 'compulsory' in a sentence
compulsory
University was a way of avoiding compulsory military service.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The change in law would mean compulsory third-party injury and damage insurance for all vehicles involved in sports.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In return for no compulsory redundancies the company is asking the staff to accept cuts in pay.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Military service is compulsory and frequently traumatic.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The law allowing compulsory vaccination is well established.
Christianity Today (2000)
Now we must make the scanners compulsory and we must upgrade them.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They were only the second generation to experience compulsory elementary education and mostly they detested it.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It is essential and must be compulsory.
The Sun (2012)
They say money management should be part of compulsory education.
The Sun (2006)
But surely it must be made compulsory?
The Sun (2007)
Automatic jail terms must be made compulsory.
The Sun (2008)
Coats should be compulsory by law.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There is a compulsory retirement age, with all the implications for those who own no property.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
No more compulsory retirement: what next?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Russia's system of compulsory military service means that most have some militaryexperience.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Previously, only men had to do compulsory military service.
The Sun (2015)
The team join tens of thousands of people who have fled a dictatorial regime, widespread poverty and compulsory military service.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Since that time 45,000 staff have left, with only one compulsory redundancy.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Which isn't to say that opponents of compulsory retirement don't make a compelling argument.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Retirement is likely to move from an abrupt halt at a fixed age to a more gradual withdrawal, with the abolition of compulsory retirement ages.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But he admitted: 'Those who have completed medical care and returned to military duty will be eligible for compulsory redundancy alongside their colleagues.
The Sun (2011)
In other languages
compulsory
British English: compulsory /kəmˈpʌlsərɪ/ ADJECTIVE
If something is compulsory, you must do it because a law or someone in authority says you must.
Learning Latin is no longer compulsory here.
American English: compulsory
Arabic: إِلْزامِيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: obrigatório
Chinese: 必须做的
Croatian: obvezan
Czech: povinný
Danish: tvungen
Dutch: verplicht
European Spanish: obligatorio
Finnish: pakollinen
French: obligatoire
German: obligatorisch
Greek: υποχρεωτικός
Italian: obbligatorio
Japanese: 強制的な
Korean: 강제적인
Norwegian: obligatorisk
Polish: przymusowy
European Portuguese: obrigatório
Romanian: obligatoriu
Russian: обязательный
Latin American Spanish: obligatorio
Swedish: tvingande
Thai: ที่บังคับ
Turkish: zorunlu
Ukrainian: обов'язковий
Vietnamese: bắt buộc
Chinese translation of 'compulsory'
compulsory
(kəmˈpʌlsərɪ)
adj
必须(須)的 (bìxū de)
[course]必修的 (bìxiū de)
⇒ compulsory military service义务兵役 (yīwù bīngyì)
to make sth compulsory使某事强(強)制化 (shǐ mǒushì qiángzhìhuà)
it is compulsory to wear a seat belt必须(須)系(繫)安全带(帶) (bìxū jì ānquándài)
(adjective)
Definition
required by regulations or laws
compulsory military conscription
Synonyms
obligatory
Third-party insurance is obligatory when driving in Italy.
forced
a system of forced labour
required
This book is required reading.
binding
a legally binding commitment
mandatory
Attendance is mandatory.
imperative
It's imperative to know your rights at such a time.
requisite
She filled in the requisite paperwork.
de rigueur (French)
Opposites
voluntary
,
unnecessary
,
optional
,
discretionary
,
elective
,
non-obligatory
,
non-requisite
,
unimperative
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 forced
Definition
done because of force
a system of forced labour
Synonyms
compulsory,
enforced,
slave,
unwilling,
mandatory,
obligatory,
involuntary,
conscripted
in the sense of imperative
Definition
extremely urgent
It's imperative to know your rights at such a time.