English Explanatory Dictionary

voluntary

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Done, given, or acting of one's own free will.
  2. Done by design or intention; intentional.
  3. Working or done without payment.
  4. Endowed with the power of willing.
  5. Of or relating to voluntarism.
adv
  1. Voluntarily.
noun
  1. A short piece of music, often having improvisation, played on a solo instrument.
  2. A volunteer.
  3. A supporter of voluntarism; a voluntarist.

Pronunciation

/ˈvɒl.ən.tɹi/ /ˈvɑ.lənˌt(ɛ)ɹi/ En-us-voluntary.ogg /ˈvɒl.ən.t(ɛ)ɹi/ /ˈvɔl.ən.tɹi/ [voˈlɔn.t̠ɹ̠̊ɹ̩.ri] /ˌvo.lɔnˈtɛ.ri/

Word forms

voluntary more voluntary most voluntary voluntaries

Etymology

From Middle English voluntarie, from Old French volontaire, from Latin voluntārius (“willing, of free will”), from voluntās (“will, choice, desire”), from volēns, present participle of volo (“to will”). Displaced native Old English selfwille (literally “self-willed”).

Synonyms

discretionary optional volitional willful intentional honorary pro bono unpaid unsalaried unwaged autonomous spontaneous

Antonyms

antonym(s) of compulsory obligatory accidental paid salaried

Related words

voluntarism voluntarist

Derived words

individual voluntary arrangement voluntarily voluntary agent voluntary aided school voluntary controlled school voluntary jurisdiction voluntary manslaughter voluntary movement voluntary muscle voluntary waste voluntary work volun-told

Translations

Finnish: tahdollinen Finnish: vapaaehtois- Finnish: vapaa- Polish: świadomy Polish: woluntarystyczny Albanian: vullnetar Italian: volenteroso Portuguese: voluntário
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