compulsory

American  

[kuhm-puhl-suh-ree] / kəmˈpʌl sə ri /

adjective

1. required; mandatory; obligatory.

   compulsory education.

   Antonyms:

   voluntary

2. using compulsion; compelling; constraining.

   compulsory measures to control rioting.

   Antonyms:

   voluntary

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noun

plural

compulsories

1. something, as an athletic feat, that must be performed or completed as part of a contest or competition.

   The ice skater received a higher score on the compulsories than on her freestyle performance.

compulsory British  

/ kəmˈpʌlsərɪ /

adjective

1. required by regulations or laws; obligatory

   compulsory education

2. involving or employing compulsion; compelling; necessary; essential

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Other Word Forms

• compulsorily
  adverb
• compulsoriness
  noun
• noncompulsorily
  adverb
• noncompulsorilyness
  noun
• noncompulsory
  adjective
• quasi-compulsorily
  adverb
• quasi-compulsory
  adjective
• uncompulsory
  adjective

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.

Example Sentences

French bakeries sold crusty baguettes and flaky croissants with government backing Friday, defying labour unions arguing that May 1 should remain a day of compulsory rest.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

If they refused, they faced a compulsory levy that amounted to 2.25 percent of their Australian revenue, he said.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

The generation that wrote and ratified the Constitution had direct experience with compulsory service, but it looked nothing like modern conscription.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

Azam Jangravi, an activist who fled Iran after protesting against the compulsory veil, said she initially favored the bombing campaign that targeted Iran’s leaders and security forces.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

As though something in their family genes had bestowed on them compulsory bumps that appeared randomly on different parts of their bodies.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

Related Words

• de rigueur
• forced
• imperative
• mandatory
• obligatory
• required