The difference between Obligatory and Optional

When used as adjectives, obligatory means imposing obligation, legally or morally, whereas optional means not compulsory.


Optional is also noun with the meaning: something that is not compulsory, especially part of an academic course.

check bellow for the other definitions of Obligatory and Optional

  1. Obligatory as an adjective:

    Imposing obligation, legally or morally; binding.

    Examples:

    "an obligatory promise"

  2. Obligatory as an adjective:

    Requiring a matter or obligation.

  1. Optional as an adjective:

    Not compulsory; left to personal choice; elective.

    Examples:

    "On that beach clothing is entirely optional."

  1. Optional as a noun:

    Something that is not compulsory, especially part of an academic course.

  2. Optional as a noun (programming):

    In the Swift programming language, a kind of variable that is assigned a specific data type but may or may not hold an actual value.

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