voluntarily
Americanadverb
-
of one’s own accord or by free choice.
Students were mostly attending the sessions voluntarily, so they were reasonably well-behaved.
-
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
Etymology
Origin of voluntarily
Explanation
Use the adverb voluntarily to describe something you do willingly. For example, you might voluntarily stay home and babysit your little brother if the alternative is a trip to the grocery store. People do things voluntarily when they are completely willing to do them, not forced or enticed by anyone else. Kids tend to eat candy voluntarily, ride their bikes with their friends voluntarily, and watch their favorite shows on TV voluntarily. It's easy to see the connection with the verb to volunteer, and both words are rooted in the Latin root voluntarius, "of one's free will."
Vocabulary lists containing voluntarily
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Chapter 8: Greek Civilization
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The agency’s fourth commissioner, Republican Donald Palmer, voluntarily departed the agency earlier this year to join the Heritage Foundation.
From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2026
However, the university has denied it and called the report fake, adding that it supports students who have voluntarily decided to sign contracts.
From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026
Rather than acquiring those existing firms, Serhant says the brokerages voluntarily aligned with the company to gain access to its technology platform, marketing capabilities, and national brand recognition.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026
The quit rate – workers leaving their jobs voluntarily – changed little at 3.1 million, while the rate was unchanged at 1.9% from April.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
No man in his right senses would voluntarily choose such a life in preference to the one of normal, family, social life which exists in every civilized community.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
