mandatory
Attendance at the safety training is mandatory for all employees.
The training session must be attended by everyone; it is not optional.
Required by law or rules; compulsory.
The use of seatbelts is mandatory in most countries.
Seatbelts must be worn by law in most places.
This course has a mandatory final exam worth 40% of the grade.
The final exam is a required part of the course and significantly impacts the final score.
Often used in legal, educational, and workplace contexts to indicate something that cannot be avoided or skipped.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Avoid redundancy
Do not pair 'mandatory' with 'must' or 'required' in the same sentence, as this creates redundancy. For example, say 'This training is mandatory' instead of 'This training is mandatory and must be completed.'
Gold Rule
Use in formal contexts
Reserve 'mandatory' for formal, official, or legal contexts where compliance is enforced by rules or laws. It is not typically used in casual conversation.
Word Origin
From Latin *mandatorius* (of or pertaining to a command), derived from *mandatum* (a command), the past participle of *mandare* (to command, entrust). Entered English in the late 15th century via Old French *mandatoire*.
Usage Notes
While 'mandatory' and 'compulsory' are often interchangeable, 'mandatory' is more commonly used in modern contexts, especially in legal and administrative settings. 'Compulsory' may carry a slightly stronger implication of force or duty. Avoid using 'mandatory' to describe personal preferences (e.g., not 'mandatory vacation' unless referring to a legal requirement).