adverb
- in a way that is required by necessity or biological constraint; exclusively
Usage: scientific; biology
Examples
- Some bacteria are obligately anaerobic and cannot survive in oxygen.
- The parasite is obligately dependent on its host for survival.
- These organisms are obligately aquatic and die when removed from water.
- The virus is obligately intracellular and requires host cells to reproduce.
- Certain plants are obligately cross-pollinated by specific insects.
- The fungus is obligately parasitic on wheat crops.