voluntary

[ vol-uhn-ter-ee ]

/ ˈvɒl ənˌtɛr i /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR voluntary ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

done, made, brought about, undertaken, etc., of one's own accord or by free choice: a voluntary contribution.

of, relating to, or acting in accord with the will: voluntary cooperation.

of, relating to, or depending on voluntary action: voluntary hospitals.

Law.

acting or done without compulsion or obligation.
done by intention, and not by accident: voluntary manslaughter.
made without valuable consideration: a voluntary settlement.

Physiology. subject to or controlled by the will.

having the power of willing or choosing: a voluntary agent.

proceeding from a natural impulse; spontaneous: voluntary laughter.

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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Origin of voluntary

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin voluntārius, equivalent to volunt(ās) willingness, inclination (ultimately representing a formation with -tās -ty² on the present participle of velle to want, wish; see will¹, -ent) + -ārius -ary

SYNONYMS FOR voluntary

1 considered, purposeful, planned, intended, designed.

7 free, unforced, natural, unconstrained.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR voluntary ON THESAURUS.COM

synonym study for voluntary

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.

OTHER WORDS FROM voluntary

vol·un·tar·i·ly

[vol-uhn-tair-uh-lee, vol-uhn-ter-] /ˌvɒl ənˈtɛər ə li, ˈvɒl ənˌtɛr-/, adverbvol·un·tar·i·ness, nounnon·vol·un·tar·y, adjectivesem·i·vol·un·tar·y, adjective

un·vol·un·tar·i·ly, adverbun·vol·un·tar·y, adjective

Words nearby voluntary

volumetric efficiency, volumetric solution, voluminous, volund, voluntarism, voluntary, voluntary abortion, voluntary aid detachment, voluntary arrangement, voluntary association, voluntary muscle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for voluntary

Our world is in so many ways more based on voluntary exchange than ever before.
Relax—Both Parties Are Going Extinct|Nick Gillespie|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Non-GMO Project, on the other hand, provides a voluntary way for manufacturers to declare themselves GMO free.
Whole Foods' Anti-GMO Swindle|Michael Schulson|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Certification is voluntary only insofar as work as a physician is voluntary.
Rand Paul and the Certification Racket|Russell Saunders|August 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some people are asked to come to the police station for ‘voluntary’ drug tests.
The Japanese Go All ‘Footloose’ to Protest Nightlife Crackdown|Jake Adelstein, Angela Erika Kubo|May 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He called the voluntary manslaughter case, in which he pleaded no contest after hitting a man with his car, a “tragic accident.”
Fringe Factor: Convicted Killer, Registered Sex Offender Runs for California Governor|Caitlin Dickson|March 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Such mitigation of its influence as may be found is chiefly due to voluntary charitable agency.
The Criminal|Havelock Ellis
Early in 1825, William Wilberforce's brilliant Parliamentary career came to an end by his own voluntary retirement.
Private Papers of William Wilberforce|William Wilberforce
He also introduced a voluntary compliance program to procure open housing.
Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965|Morris J. MacGregor, Jr.
Devil a thing, however, like an endowed church, and may God keep me and all my friends from the voluntary system!
The Tithe-Proctor|William Carleton
In the camp towns we have also the Guest Houses, run by voluntary organizations of women.
Women and War Work|Helen Fraser

British Dictionary definitions for voluntary

voluntary

/ (ˈvɒləntərɪ, -trɪ) /

adjective

performed, undertaken, or brought about by free choice, willingly, or without being askeda voluntary donation

(of persons) serving or acting in a specified function of one's own accord and without compulsion or promise of remunerationa voluntary social worker

done by, composed of, or functioning with the aid of volunteersa voluntary association

endowed with, exercising, or having the faculty of willinga voluntary agent

arising from natural impulse; spontaneousvoluntary laughter

law

acting or done without legal obligation, compulsion, or persuasion
made without payment or recompense in any forma voluntary conveyance

(of the muscles of the limbs, neck, etc) having their action controlled by the will

maintained or provided by the voluntary actions or contributions of individuals and not by the statevoluntary schools; the voluntary system

noun plural -taries

music a composition or improvisation, usually for organ, played at the beginning or end of a church service

work done without compulsion

obsolete a volunteer, esp in an army

Derived forms of voluntary

voluntarily, adverbvoluntariness, noun

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

Medical definitions for voluntary

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.

voluntary

adjective

noun, plural vol·un·tar·ies.

QUIZZES

Origin of voluntary

SYNONYMS FOR voluntary

synonym study for voluntary

OTHER WORDS FROM voluntary

Words nearby voluntary

Words related to voluntary

Example sentences from the Web for voluntary

British Dictionary definitions for voluntary

adjective

noun plural -taries

Derived forms of voluntary

Word Origin for voluntary

Medical definitions for voluntary

adj.