compulsory
Americanadjective
-
required; mandatory; obligatory.
compulsory education.
- Antonyms:
- voluntary
-
using compulsion; compelling; constraining.
compulsory measures to control rioting.
- Antonyms:
- voluntary
noun
adjective
-
required by regulations or laws; obligatory
compulsory education
-
involving or employing compulsion; compelling; necessary; essential
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
compulsorinessnoun
-
noncompulsorilynessnoun
-
noncompulsoryadjective
-
quasi-compulsoryadjective
-
uncompulsoryadjective
-
compulsorilyadverb
-
noncompulsorilyadverb
-
quasi-compulsorilyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of compulsory
1510–20; < Medieval Latin compulsōrius, equivalent to Latin compul-, variant stem of compellere ( see compel) + -sōrius, for -tōrius -tory 1; cf. compulsive
Explanation
When something is compulsory, it is required or must be done. In most states, it's compulsory for kids to attend school (or an equivalent homeschool) from age six to seventeen. This adjective is from Medieval Latin compulsorius, "using force," from Classical Latin compellere, "to force." The Latin suffix –orius corresponds to English -ory, "containing or involving." Other English words descended from the same Latin verb are compel and compulsive.
Vocabulary lists containing compulsory
Night
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The Bill of Rights
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Grade 11, List 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It recommended abolishing a scheme that allows people to retire early at 63, and expanding compulsory pension contributions to include civil servants and self-employed workers.
From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026
Voluntary brigades worked alongside those forced into compulsory service.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026
However revised plans mean only a small number of staff remain at risk of compulsory redundancy.
From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026
While not compulsory, these annual medical tests have become seen as routine in recent decades.
From BBC • May 30, 2026
We are fundamentally opposed to the principle and practice of compulsory segregation in our American society, whether of races or classes or creeds.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
