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View synonyms for voluntary

voluntary

[ vol-uhn-ter-ee ]

adjective

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

    a voluntary contribution.

    Synonyms: designed, intended, planned, purposeful, considered

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

    voluntary cooperation.

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

    voluntary hospitals.

  4. Law.
    1. acting or done without compulsion or obligation.
    2. done by intention, and not by accident:

      voluntary manslaughter.

    3. made without valuable consideration:

      a voluntary settlement.

  5. Physiology. subject to or controlled by the will.
  6. having the power of willing or choosing:

    a voluntary agent.

  7. proceeding from a natural impulse; spontaneous:

    voluntary laughter.

    Synonyms: unconstrained, unforced, natural, free



noun

, plural vol·un·tar·ies.
  1. something done voluntarily.
  2. 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.

voluntary

/ ˈvɒləntərɪ; -trɪ /

adjective

  1. performed, undertaken, or brought about by free choice, willingly, or without being asked

    a voluntary donation

  2. (of persons) serving or acting in a specified function of one's own accord and without compulsion or promise of remuneration

    a voluntary social worker

  3. done by, composed of, or functioning with the aid of volunteers

    a voluntary association

  4. endowed with, exercising, or having the faculty of willing

    a voluntary agent

  5. arising from natural impulse; spontaneous

    voluntary laughter

  6. law
    1. acting or done without legal obligation, compulsion, or persuasion
    2. made without payment or recompense in any form

      a voluntary conveyance

  7. (of the muscles of the limbs, neck, etc) having their action controlled by the will
  8. maintained or provided by the voluntary actions or contributions of individuals and not by the state

    the voluntary system

    voluntary schools



noun

  1. music a composition or improvisation, usually for organ, played at the beginning or end of a church service
  2. work done without compulsion
  3. obsolete.
    a volunteer, esp in an army

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Derived Forms

  • volunˈtarily, adverb
  • ˈvoluntariness, noun

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Other Words From

  • vol·un·tar·i·ly [vol-, uh, n-, tair, -, uh, -lee, vol, -, uh, n-ter-], adverb
  • vol·un·tar·i·ness noun
  • non·vol·un·tar·y adjective
  • sem·i·vol·un·tar·y adjective
  • un·vol·un·tar·y adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of voluntary1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin voluntārius, equivalent to volunt(ās) “willingness, inclination” (ultimately representing a formation with -tās -ty 2 on the present participle of velle “to want, wish”; will 1, -ent ) + -ārius -ary

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Word History and Origins

Origin of voluntary1

C14: from Latin voluntārius, from voluntās will, from velle to wish

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Synonym Study

See deliberate. 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.

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Example Sentences

Our world is in so many ways more based on voluntary exchange than ever before.

“I see the celebs capitalizing on all these leaks, whether voluntary or not,” wrote Reddit user attacktei.

The Non-GMO Project, on the other hand, provides a voluntary way for manufacturers to declare themselves GMO free.

Certification is voluntary only insofar as work as a physician is voluntary.

UNRWA is funded by voluntary contributions, but Arab and predominantly Islamic nations are rarely among the top donors.

This system had been in full operation in both districts prior to the general application of the voluntary system.

It therefore took under favorable consideration the question of a voluntary clearing system.

This is secured only by right objects of thought; it is impossible to reach it by voluntary mechanics.

Our voluntary service regulars are the last descendants of those rulers of the ancient world, the Roman Legionaries.

A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions.

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voluntarismVoluntary Aid Detachment