How to pronounce obligatory
Say it like uh-BLIG-uh-tor-ee. Obligatory has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BLIG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce obligatory. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- BLIG
- uh
- tor
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Obligatory pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BLIGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep 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 obligatory
American and British speakers say obligatory in essentially the same way: /əˈblɪɡəˌtɔri/ in the US and /əˈblɪɡətəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-BLIG-uh-tuh-ree.
What does obligatory mean?
- Imposing obligation, legally, morally, or otherwise; binding; mandatory.“an obligatory promise”
- Requiring a matter or obligation.
Where does obligatory come from?
From Middle English obligatorie, from Latin obligatōrius.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying obligatory
How do you pronounce obligatory?
Say uh-BLIG-uh-tor-ee. The American pronunciation is /əˈblɪɡəˌtɔri/. In British English it is /əˈblɪɡətəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in obligatory?
Obligatory has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BLIG). Broken into parts: uh · BLIG · uh · tor · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say obligatory the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈblɪɡəˌtɔri/ and the British form is /əˈblɪɡətəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.