mandatory
gb/mˈændətˌɔɹi/ us/mˈændətˌɔɹi/
B2
English
~ 6300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
required by law or rule
Needed because a law, rule, or person in power says so; you cannot choose not to do it.
Usage pattern:
[something] is mandatory for [someone] / it is mandatory to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *mandatory* to mean simply 'very important'. However, *mandatory* means it is required by a rule or law, not just important. Also, use patterns like 'It is mandatory to wear a helmet' or 'Wearing a helmet is mandatory', not 'It is mandatory wear a helmet.'
Synonyms
compulsory (Very close in meaning; common in British English, slightly more formal.)
|
obligatory (Similar meaning; often used in more formal or written contexts.)
|
required (More general and slightly simpler; does not always imply a formal rule or law.)
Antonyms
optional (Emphasizes that something is a free choice, not required.)
|
voluntary (Stresses that something is done because you want to, not because a rule forces you.)
Collocations
mandatory training
|mandatory meeting
|mandatory minimum sentence
|mandatory vaccination
|mandatory attendance
|make something mandatory
Themes
law
|work
|education
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Wearing a helmet is mandatory for all motorcyclists in this country.
- Attendance at the safety briefing is mandatory for new employees.
- The government introduced mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers.
- Most states have a mandatory minimum sentence for this type of crime.
- It is mandatory to register your address within 30 days of moving.
Learner examples
- It is mandatory to wear a seat belt in a car.
- School uniforms are mandatory at my school.
- A passport is mandatory if you want to travel abroad.
- The test is mandatory, so everyone must take it.
adjective
informal
C1
property
2
so expected it is standard
Happening or included because it is very common and everyone expects it, often used as a joke.
Usage pattern:
the mandatory [typical thing]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this always means 'required by law or rule'. In informal speech, people often use *mandatory* jokingly to mean 'so common that it always happens', as in 'the mandatory group photo'. Here, there is no real rule or law; it is just a strong expectation.
Synonyms
standard (Suggests something is normal or usual, without the humorous tone of 'mandatory'.)
|
expected (Focuses on what people think will happen, not on any rule or requirement.)
|
typical (Describes something as usual for that kind of situation, but not necessarily joking.)
Antonyms
unusual (Opposite because it describes something that does not normally happen or appear.)
|
surprising (Opposite in that it describes something people do not expect in that situation.)
Collocations
mandatory selfie
|mandatory group photo
|mandatory car chase
|mandatory team-building exercise
Themes
informal
|entertainment
|culture
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- The action movie even had the mandatory car chase through a crowded market.
- We took the mandatory group photo before the conference ended.
- The tour includes the mandatory stop at the gift shop.
- There was the mandatory awkward silence after his bad joke.
Learner examples
- At the end of the trip, we took the mandatory group photo.
- The show had the mandatory happy ending.
- Every family dinner comes with a mandatory talk about school.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mandatory
IPA
GB/mˈændətˌɔɹi/
US/mˈændətˌɔɹi/
Syllables & stress
man - dat - ory (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (man)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: mandatory
Word family
Expressions
it is mandatory to
1/ˈɪt ˈɪz mˈændətˌɔɹi tə/
fixed phrase
introduces a required action
used before a verb to say that the action must be done because of a rule or law
Examples
- In this building, it is mandatory to wear your ID badge at all times.
- It is mandatory to report any data breach within 24 hours.
- On the form, it is mandatory to fill in your full name and address.
make mandatory
1/mˈeɪk mˈændətˌɔɹi/
fixed phrase
to require by rule or law
to say in a rule or law that something must be done and is not a choice
Examples
- The company plans to make cybersecurity training mandatory next year.
- The school board voted to make uniforms mandatory for all students.
- They made it mandatory to sign in at reception when you arrive.
mandatory meeting
1/mˈændətˌɔɹi mˈitɪŋ/
fixed phrase
meeting everyone must attend
a meeting you must go to; you are not allowed to skip it
Examples
- All staff must attend a mandatory meeting on Monday morning.
- We have a mandatory meeting about the new safety rules.
mandatory minimum
1/mˈændətˌɔɹi mˈɪnəməm/
fixed phrase
technical
lowest sentence allowed by law
the smallest punishment that the law allows a judge to give for a crime
Examples
- The new legislation sets a mandatory minimum for drug offenses.
- Critics argue that the mandatory minimum is too harsh for first-time offenders.
mandatory minimum sentence
1/mˈændətˌɔɹi mˈɪnəməm sˈɛntəns/
fixed phrase
technical
lowest prison term required by law
the shortest time in prison that the law says a person must get for a certain crime
Examples
- He received the mandatory minimum sentence under the new law.
- Judges have no discretion when a mandatory minimum sentence applies.
mandatory overtime
1/mˈændətˌɔɹi ˈoʊvɚtˌaɪm/
fixed phrase
required extra work hours
extra time at work that employees must work and cannot refuse
Examples
- The factory introduced mandatory overtime during the busy season.
- Workers are angry about the new policy of mandatory overtime on weekends.
mandatory retirement
1/mˈændətˌɔɹi ɹɪtˈaɪɚmənt/
fixed phrase
formal
rule forcing retirement at an age
a law or rule that says a person must stop working when they reach a certain age
Examples
- The company ended its policy of mandatory retirement at 65.
- Some workers oppose mandatory retirement, saying they can still do their jobs well.
mandatory sentencing
1/mˈændətˌɔɹi sˈɛntənsɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
system of fixed legal punishments
a system where the law says what punishment a judge must give for certain crimes
Examples
- Mandatory sentencing has been criticized for removing judges' flexibility.
- The report calls for reforms to the country's mandatory sentencing laws.
mandatory training
1/mˈændətˌɔɹi tɹˈeɪnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
training course you must take
a class or course that you must complete because your job, school, or the law says so
Examples
- New employees must complete mandatory training in their first month.
- The hospital runs mandatory training on infection control every year.
mandatory evacuation
1/mˈændətˌɔɹi ɪvˌækjuˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
official order to leave for safety
when the government or police tell people they must leave an area because it is dangerous
Examples
- Authorities ordered a mandatory evacuation ahead of the hurricane.
- Authorities announced a mandatory evacuation for all low-lying coastal neighborhoods.
- Residents ignored the mandatory evacuation and chose to stay in their homes.
- Some residents refused to comply with the mandatory evacuation despite the risks.