adjective
Uncommon
obligatory
uh-BLIHG-uh-tree
Obligatory (adjective) means Required by rule, law, or custom; compulsory. Example: “Wearing a hard hat is obligatory on the construction site.”
adjective
1
Required by rule, law, or custom; compulsory.
"Wearing a hard hat is obligatory on the construction site."
How to use obligatory
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCompulsory — something you must do, not optional.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more obligatory
- Superlative
- most obligatory
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Wearing a hard hat is _____ on the construction site.
Etymology
From Latin obligatorius, from the same root as obligation.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for obligatory
See all rhymes for obligatory →Frequently asked questions
What does “obligatory” mean?
The word “obligatory” means required by rule, law, or custom; compulsory. In plain terms, compulsory — something you must do, not optional.
How do you pronounce “obligatory”?
“Obligatory” is pronounced uh-BLIHG-uh-tree (/əˈblɪɡ.ə.tɔ.ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “obligatory” in a sentence?
Here is “obligatory” used in a sentence: “Wearing a hard hat is obligatory on the construction site.”
What is another word for “obligatory”?
Words with a similar meaning to “obligatory” include bounden, mandatory and incumbent.
What is the opposite of “obligatory”?
The opposite of “obligatory” — its antonyms — is optional.
What part of speech is “obligatory”?
“Obligatory” is an adjective.
Where does the word “obligatory” come from?
The word “obligatory” comes from Latin. From Latin obligatorius, from the same root as obligation.
Is “obligatory” a common word?
“Obligatory” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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