voluntary

CEFRB1

/ˈvɒl.ən.tɹi/

adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Done by choice and not forced.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    Done by design or intention; intentional.

Examples

  • The company appealed for people to take voluntary resignation.

  • That organization depends on voluntary contributions.

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
3
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • [voˈlɔn.t̠ɹ̠̊ɹ̩.ri]

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. Working or done without payment.

  2. Done, given, or acting of one's own free will.

  3. Endowed with the power of willing.

More examples

In context

  • If a man accidentally kills another by lopping a tree, it is not voluntary manslaughter.

  • September 10, 1828, Nathaniel William Taylor, Sermon delivered in the Chapel of Yale College That sin or guilt pertains exclusively to voluntary action is the true principle of orthodoxy.

  • Wikimedia is a voluntary service.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The blank work at the animal shelter is done by people who want to help.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

From Middle English voluntarie, from Old French volontaire, from Latin voluntārius (“willing, of free will”), from voluntās (“will, choice, desire”), from volēns, present participle of volo (“to will”). Displaced native Old English selfwille (literally “self-willed”).