Word
mandatory
Phoneticsmanda·to·ry
US/ˈmændəˌtɔɹi/
UK/mˈændətəɹˌi/
Definitions
01required by law or rule
B2 · Upper Intermediate Law Formal
adj. describing something you must do because it is a rule or a law.
adj. obligatory or required by an authoritative command, statute, or regulation.
“Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory for all passengers in the car.”
“The committee decided that attendance at the safety briefing would be mandatory for all staff, regardless of their previous experience with the equipment.”
Usage
Often used in formal contexts like law, education, or workplace safety.
Teaching tip
While 'compulsory' is common in British English for school subjects, 'mandatory' is very frequent in American English and professional settings globally.
Synonyms
02disc golf obstacle
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Sports Technical
n. a specific path that a disc must follow in the game of disc golf.
n. a designated obstacle or marker that a disc must pass on a specific side to avoid a penalty.
“If your disc goes to the left of the mandatory tree, you get a penalty stroke.”
“The course designer placed a double mandatory on the narrow forest hole to ensure players could not take a dangerous shortcut over the walking path.”
Usage
Often shortened to 'mando' by players.
Teaching tip
This is a highly specialized term used almost exclusively within the disc golf community.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “mandatory” in context.
Verb
01. become mandatory
“Wearing a helmet will become mandatory for all cyclists starting next month.”
verb + adj
02. make attendance mandatory
“The department decided to make attendance mandatory for all weekly seminars to ensure student engagement.”
verb + noun + adj
Adjective
03. legally mandatory
“It is legally mandatory for employers to provide a safe working environment for their staff.”
adv + adj
04. mandatory for all
“The safety briefing is mandatory for all visitors before they enter the construction site.”
adj + prep + noun
05. mandatory to report
“In many jurisdictions, it is mandatory to report any suspicion of financial fraud immediately.”
adj + infinitive
Noun
06. mandatory drug testing
“Athletes are subject to mandatory drug testing throughout the competitive season.”
adj + noun + noun
07. mandatory retirement age
“The company recently abolished its mandatory retirement age to retain experienced staff members.”
adj + noun + noun
08. mandatory sentencing guidelines
“The judge followed the mandatory sentencing guidelines when determining the length of the prison term.”
adj + noun + noun
Real-World Examples
“Is taking parental leave mandatory if you're self-employed in Spain?” “Helmet use is not mandatory in the UK, unlike some other countries.” “Do you make it mandatory, so you opt out rather than opt in?” “If privately owned e-scooters are legalised for public use, Carly believes, there should be mandatory helmets, a ban on carrying passengers and penalties for parents that allow children to ride illegally.” Etymology
From Late Latin mandatorius (“of or belonging to a mandator”), from mandātor (“one who commands”), equivalent to mandate + -ory; see mandate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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