noncompulsory
Freely chosen participation
Noncompulsory means not required or mandatory.
A noncompulsory course is one students may take but don't have to.
Attendance at the meeting is noncompulsory.
The word appears most often in educational and administrative contexts, where distinguishing required from optional matters.
Not mandatory
- electiveChosen, not mandated
- voluntaryDone by choice
- discretionarySubject to personal judgment
- nonmandatoryNot compulsory
nonobligatory · unrequired · nonessential · unnecessary · permissive · unforced · nonbinding · waivable
Unpaid willing participant
- willingReady without resistance
- spontaneousArising without external cause
- freewillCapacity for autonomous choice
- uncoercedDone without compulsion
self-determined · autonomous · volitional · unconstrained · self-imposed · unpressured · uncompelled · independent
Another available choice
- optionAvailable course of action
- preferenceFavored choice among alternatives
- selectionChosen item or items
- decisionSettled course of action
pick · determination · deliberation · consideration · evaluation · judgment · dilemma · crossroads
Educational program's content plan
- courseworkStudent academic tasks
- moduleIndependent functional component
- seminarGroup discussion for learning
- creditsUnits toward graduation
major · minor · specialization · concentration · tutorial · workshop · syllabus · extracurricular
Beyond the existing amount
- extraAdditional, beyond necessary
- bonusReward beyond expectation
- ancillaryProviding additional support
- peripheralExternal computer add-on
secondary · complementary · add-on · incremental · auxiliary · accessory · enhancement · extension
optional
Not mandatory
- electiveChosen, not mandated
- voluntaryDone by choice
- discretionarySubject to personal judgment
nonmandatory · nonobligatory · unrequired · nonessential · unnecessary · permissive · unforced · nonbinding · waivable · skippable
volunteer
Unpaid willing participant
- willingReady without resistance
- spontaneousArising without external cause
- freewillCapacity for autonomous choice
uncoerced · self-determined · autonomous · volitional · unconstrained · self-imposed · unpressured · uncompelled · independent · self-directed
alternative
Another available choice
- optionAvailable course of action
- preferenceFavored choice among alternatives
- selectionChosen item or items
decision · pick · determination · deliberation · consideration · evaluation · judgment · dilemma · crossroads · freedom
curriculum
Educational program's content plan
- courseworkStudent academic tasks
- moduleIndependent functional component
- seminarGroup discussion for learning
credits · major · minor · specialization · concentration · tutorial · workshop · syllabus · extracurricular · enrichment
additional
Beyond the existing amount
- extraAdditional, beyond necessary
- bonusReward beyond expectation
- ancillaryProviding additional support
peripheral · secondary · complementary · add-on · incremental · auxiliary · accessory · enhancement · extension · luxury
noncompulsorycompulsory
Required, not optional
mandatory · required · obligatory · forced · compelled
compel, compulsory, compulsion, compulsive, compulsorily, noncomplying, non-compulsory