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obligatorily

C2
adverb

Pronunciation

UK

  • /ɒblɪɡˈætərəlɪ/

US

  • /əblˈɪɡətˌɔːrəli/

Description

"Obligatorily" describes an action that must be done, not because someone wants to do it, but because a rule, law, or duty requires it. Think about jury duty: you do not go for fun; you go because you are required to. It is stronger than simply saying "have to" because it often points to a formal or official requirement. You might choose to help a friend move, but you pay your taxes obligatorily. The word suggests that the action is imposed from the outside rather than freely chosen.

Examples

  1. 1

    University requirement

    First-year students are obligatorily enrolled in the writing seminar.

    • Usage

      obligatorily is formal; in everyday English, "must" or "have to" is more common

  2. 2

    Workplace training

    The company says the extra training is offered voluntarily, not obligatorily.

  3. 3

    Legal requirement

    In that system, every vehicle on public roads is obligatorily insured.

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • obligatorilyadverb