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

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

“I’m not going to give advice to any European countries, but in terms of civic education, national identity and national unity, there is probably nothing better than compulsory military service,” Stubb said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Motability drivers under the age of 30 say they are "horrified" by rule changes that mean their vehicles will be fitted with compulsory black boxes.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

He says he has barely spoken to his uncle since major protests in 2022 following the death in custody of a young woman, Mahsa Amini, who was accused of not wearing the compulsory hijab properly.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Earlier, my compulsory vault had gone well enough, but I’d taken a small step on the landing, and I wanted my second vault to be flawless.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

Related Words

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