adj
Very common
required
rih-KWEYE-uhd
Required (adj) means Necessary or mandatory. Example: “A passport is required to board an international flight.”
adj
1
Necessary or mandatory.
"A passport is required to board an international flight."
"Strong boots are required for the long mountain walk."
"Attendance at the meeting is required."
"Attendance at the orientation is required for all new employees."
"He completed the required reading before class."
How to use required
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething you must do or have — not optional.
Common pairings
required reading
required documents
strictly required
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more required
- Superlative
- most required
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A passport is _____ to board an international flight.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for required
See all rhymes for required →Frequently asked questions
What does “required” mean?
The word “required” means necessary or mandatory. In plain terms, something you must do or have — not optional.
How do you pronounce “required”?
“Required” is pronounced rih-KWEYE-uhd (/ɹɪˈkwaɪɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “required” in a sentence?
Here is “required” used in a sentence: “Attendance at the orientation is required for all new employees.”
What part of speech is “required”?
“Required” is an adjective.
Is “required” a common word?
“Required” is a very common word in modern English.
What is the difference between 'required' and 'optional'?
They are opposites. 'Required' means something is necessary and must be done or provided — there is no choice about it. 'Optional' means it is left to your discretion; you may do it or skip it freely. A required field must be filled in, while an optional one can be left blank.
What is the difference between 'required' and 'requested'?
'Required' means mandatory — you have no choice but to comply. 'Requested' is far softer; it means someone has asked for something, but you may still decline. A required document must be submitted, whereas a requested one is merely wished for. The gap between them is obligation versus polite asking.
Is 'required' a formal word?
Yes, 'required' is fairly formal and common in official, legal, and academic contexts — 'proof of identity is required.' In casual speech people often say 'needed' or 'you have to.' All convey necessity, but 'required' carries a firm, rule-bound tone that suits instructions and regulations.
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