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

Unlike the military, “the Basij are part of society,” said Azam Jangravi, an Iranian activist who campaigned against the compulsory veil.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Council tax is a compulsory charge on properties in England, Scotland and Wales and provides almost half of the funding for England's local authorities.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Widely lauded as the biggest boy band in the world, BTS went on hiatus in 2022 so the group's seven members could serve compulsory stints in the South Korean military.

From Barron's • Mar. 21, 2026

When they more or less gave birth to the systematic education of young people, it is worth noting that their first compulsory seven subjects were grammar, rhetoric, logic, maths, geometry, astronomy and music.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

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