voluntary
[ vol-uhn-ter-ee ]
/ ˈvɒl ənˌtɛr i /
adjective
noun, plural vol·un·tar·ies.
something done voluntarily.
a piece of music, frequently spontaneous and improvised, performed as a prelude to a larger work, especially a piece of organ music performed before, during, or after an office of the church.
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RELATED WORDS
spontaneous, chosen, independent, free, volunteer, autonomous, deliberate, elected, freely, gratuitous, honorary, intended, intentional, optional, unasked, unpaid, volitional, willful, uncompelled, unconstrained
Nearby words
- volumetric solution,
- voluminous,
- volund,
- voluntarily,
- voluntarism,
- voluntary abortion,
- voluntary aid detachment,
- voluntary arrangement,
- voluntary association,
- voluntary muscle
Origin of voluntary
SYNONYMS FOR voluntary
Synonym study
1. See deliberate. 7. Voluntary, spontaneous agree in applying to something that is a natural outgrowth or natural expression arising from circumstances and conditions. Voluntary implies having given previous consideration, or having exercised judgment: a voluntary confession; a voluntary movement; The offer was a voluntary one. Something that is spontaneous arises as if by itself from the nature of the circumstances or condition: spontaneous applause, combustion, expression of admiration.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for voluntary
voluntary
/ (ˈvɒləntərɪ, -trɪ) /
adjective
noun plural -taries
Word Origin for voluntary
C14: from Latin voluntārius, from voluntās will, from velle to wish
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
voluntary
late 14c. (implied in voluntarily), from Latin voluntarius "of one's free will," from voluntas "will," from the ancient accusative singular present participle of velle "to wish" (see will (v.)). Originally of feelings, later also of actions (mid-15c.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
voluntary
[ vŏl′ən-tĕr′ē ]
adj.
Arising from or acting on one's own free will.
Normally controlled by or subject to individual volition, as of respiration.
Capable of making choices; having the faculty of will.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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