How to pronounce mandatory
Say it like MAN-duh-tor-ee. Mandatory has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAN).
- MAN
- duh
- tor
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mandatory pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- torGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of mandatory
American and British speakers say mandatory in essentially the same way: /ˈmændəˌtɔri/ in the US and /ˈmændətəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: MAN-duh-tuh-ree.
What does mandatory mean?
- obligatory; required or commanded by authority.“Attendance at a school is usually mandatory for children.”
- Of, being or relating to a mandate.“Mandatory Palestine”
- A sign or line that require the path of the disc to be above, below or to one side of it.
- A person, organisation or state who receives a mandate; a mandatary.
Where does mandatory come from?
From Late Latin mandatorius (“of or belonging to a mandator”), from mandātor (“one who commands”), equivalent to mandate + -ory; see mandate.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying mandatory
How do you pronounce mandatory?
Say MAN-duh-tor-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈmændəˌtɔri/. In British English it is /ˈmændətəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mandatory?
Mandatory has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAN). Broken into parts: MAN · duh · tor · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say mandatory the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmændəˌtɔri/ and the British form is /ˈmændətəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.