compulsory
adjective C1
Plain meaning
required by rule or law
Exam-register meaning
In academic or exam contexts, it means required by rule or law, usually in a more formal register.
In context
naturalHis response sounded compulsory, so the conversation became difficult.
examThe passage presents a compulsory assessment of the policy’s wider consequences.
Common collocations
a compulsory responsecompulsory behavioura compulsory situation
Watch out
Do not use “very compulsory” automatically; some advanced adjectives already carry a strong meaning or need a more natural intensifier.
Word family
compulsoryness (noun, where natural)compulsoryly (adverb, where natural)