voluntarily

[vol-uhn-tair-uh-lee, vol-uhn-ter-]

adverb

1. of one’s own accord or by free choice.

   Students were mostly attending the sessions voluntarily, so they were reasonably well-behaved.

2. by volunteers, or in a way that depends on voluntary action.

   The Political Science Club is a politically neutral and voluntarily operated nonprofit organization.

Other Word Forms

• unvoluntarily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of voluntarily¹

voluntary ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

He says local authorities should have an option to voluntarily accommodate a child that would be considered beyond the parent's control, without the presumed need for evidence of blame.

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Many companies already voluntarily provide relevant, interim updates on key performance metrics.

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The US administration says those whose TPS ends can leave voluntarily or pursue other immigration options.

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And they will not relinquish that power voluntarily.

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The final deal, called the Mutirão, calls on countries to "voluntarily" accelerate their climate action.

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Related Words

• deliberately 
• freely 
• intentionally 
• spontaneously 
• willingly