compulsory
gb/kəmpˈʌlsɚi/ us/kəmpˈʌlsɚi/
B2
English
~ 6400
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
required by law or rules
If something is compulsory, you must do it because a rule or law says so.
Usage pattern:
[something] is compulsory for [someone] / it is compulsory to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "compulsory" with "compulsive". "Compulsory" means something is required by a rule or law (e.g., "compulsory education"), while "compulsive" describes a strong, hard-to-control desire or behavior (e.g., "compulsive eating"). Another mistake is using "very compulsory"; instead, use words like "strictly compulsory" or simply rely on context. Also, note patterns: "It is compulsory to wear a helmet" or "Wearing a helmet is compulsory," not "It is compulsory wear a helmet."
Synonyms
mandatory (Very close in meaning; often used in legal, official, or formal contexts.)
|
obligatory (Slightly more formal and academic; often used for social or moral duties as well as legal ones.)
|
required (More general and slightly simpler; can describe anything that is needed, not only by law.)
Antonyms
optional (Describes something you can choose to do or not do; no rule forces you.)
|
voluntary (Stresses that something is done by free choice, not because of a rule or law.)
Collocations
compulsory education
|compulsory military service
|compulsory insurance
|compulsory attendance
|make [something] compulsory
|compulsory retirement
Themes
law
|education
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Wearing a helmet is compulsory for all motorcyclists in this country.
- Attendance at the safety training is compulsory for new employees.
- In many countries, education is compulsory until the age of sixteen.
- The government is considering making vaccinations compulsory for schoolchildren.
- Seat belts became compulsory in cars during the 1980s.
Learner examples
- It is compulsory to wear a seat belt in a car.
- School is compulsory for children up to sixteen years old.
- A visa is compulsory for visitors from some countries.
- A safety test is compulsory before you can use the machine.
- It is not optional; it is compulsory.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
2
required exercise or routine
A compulsory is a set exercise or task that a person must do in a sport or test.
Usage pattern:
a compulsory in [sport/exam]
Synonyms
required exercise (Directly states that the exercise must be done; more descriptive than technical.)
|
set routine (Focuses on the fixed, predefined nature of the task rather than the idea of obligation.)
Antonyms
optional exercise (Highlights that the competitor may choose whether to perform the exercise.)
Collocations
gymnastics compulsory
|figure skating compulsory
|perform the compulsory
|the floor compulsory
|the exam compulsories
Themes
sports
|education
Examples
- She scored highest on the balance beam compulsory.
- In the older format of the sport, skaters had to complete a series of compulsories before the free program.
- The first part of the test consists of three compulsories that every student must complete.
Learner examples
- He did well in the floor compulsory.
- The competition starts with a short compulsory.
- All skaters must perform the same compulsory.
- The exam has two compulsories and one free question.
- She practiced the compulsory many times before the event.
Grammar
Dictionary form
compulsory
IPA
GB/kəmpˈʌlsɚi/
US/kəmpˈʌlsɚi/
Syllables & stress
com - puls - ory (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (puls)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: compulsory
Word family
Core family
compel
verb C1
compulsion
noun C1
Related words
Advanced or less common
compulsorily
adverb
Expressions
compulsory education
1/kəmpˈʌlsɚi ˌɛd͡ʒəkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
legally required schooling
a system where the law says children must go to school up to a certain age
Examples
- Compulsory education in this country begins at age six.
- The length of compulsory education has increased over the last century.
compulsory insurance
1/kəmpˈʌlsɚi ɪnʃˈʊɹəns/
fixed phrase
legally required insurance
insurance that people must buy because the law says so, for example for cars or workers
Examples
- Car owners must have compulsory insurance before they can drive on public roads.
- The government is debating whether to introduce compulsory insurance for all gig workers.
compulsory military service
1/kəmpˈʌlsɚi mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi sˈɚvɪs/
fixed phrase
legally required army duty
a system in which the law says that young people must serve in the army for a period of time
Examples
- Several countries still have compulsory military service for young men.
- He completed his compulsory military service before starting university.
compulsory purchase
1/kəmpˈʌlsɚi pˈɚt͡ʃəs/
fixed phrase
technical
state-forced property sale
in British law, when the government can make a person sell their land or building so it can be used for a public project
Examples
- The council issued a compulsory purchase order on the site for the new road.
- Local residents are angry about the compulsory purchase of their homes.
make [something] compulsory
1/mˈeɪk sˈʌmθɪŋ kəmpˈʌlsɚi/
fixed phrase
decide something must be done
to create a rule or law so that people must do something and cannot choose not to
Examples
- The company made safety training compulsory after the accident.
- Many parents want the government to make vaccinations compulsory for schoolchildren.