OBLIGATORY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does obligatory mean? 

• OBLIGATORY (adjective)
  The adjective OBLIGATORY has 2 senses:

1. morally or legally constraining or binding

2. required by obligation or compulsion or convention

  Familiarity information: OBLIGATORY used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OBLIGATORY (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Morally or legally constraining or binding

Context example:

an obligatory contribution

Similar:

bounden (morally obligatory)

compulsory; mandatory; required (required by rule)

de rigueur (required by etiquette or usage or fashion)

imposed (set forth authoritatively as obligatory)

incumbent on (morally binding or necessary)

indispensable (unavoidable)

prerequisite (required as a prior condition or course of study)

Also:

necessary (absolutely essential)

Antonym:

optional (possible but not necessary; left to personal choice)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Required by obligation or compulsion or convention

Context example:

he made all the obligatory apologies

Similar:

necessary (absolutely essential)

 Context examples 

This cascade is obligatory for IFN-beta gene activation.

(IFN-Beta Enhancer Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

Didox inhibits retrovirus replication by depleting the deoxynucleotides obligatory for synthesis of the proviral DNA intermediate of retrovirus replication.

(Didox, NCI Thesaurus)