obligatory

[ uh-blig-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, ob-li-guh- ]

adjective

1. required as a matter of obligation; mandatory:

   A reply is desirable but not obligatory.

2. incumbent or compulsory (usually followed by on or upon ):

   duties obligatory on all.

   Synonyms: imperative, necessary

   Antonyms: voluntary

3. imposing moral or legal obligation; binding:

   an obligatory promise.

4. creating or recording an obligation, as a document.

obligatory

/ ɒˈblɪɡətərɪ; -trɪ /

adjective

1. required to be done, obtained, possessed, etc
2. of the nature of or constituting an obligation

Derived Forms

• obˈligatorily, adverb

Other Words From

• ob·lig·a·to·ri·ly [uh, -, blig, -, uh, -tawr-, uh, -lee, ‑-tohr‑, ob, -li-g, uh, ‑, uh, -blig-, uh, -, tawr, -, uh, -lee, ‑-, tohr, ‑, ob-li-g, uh, ‑], adverb
• ob·liga·tori·ness noun
• nonob·liga·tori·ly adverb
• nonob·liga·tory adjective
• uno·bliga·tory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of obligatory¹

1425–75; late Middle English < Late Latin obligātōrius binding, equivalent to Latin obligā ( re ) to bind ( obligate ) + -tōrius -tory ¹

Example Sentences

Rather surprisingly, the obligatory face-to-face between Tyson and Paul ended without any drama, but there was already enough of that in the hour and half that preceded it.

From BBC

There were the obligatory Black and South Asian Trumpists scattered about in different groups or standing alone outside.

From Salon

Mar-a-Lago became an obligatory stopping point for any conservative candidate seeking to become their party’s nominee.

From BBC

His rehab programme has been obligatory, not voluntary as it might have been if he lived in North America or Europe.

From BBC

Some might read clues about a person's politics during the obligatory family visits.

From Salon

Related Words

• compulsory
• de rigueur
• imperative
• mandatory
• requisite
• unavoidable