First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1voluntary
adjective vol·un·tary \ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē\
: done or given because you want to and not because you are forced to : done or given by choice
: provided or supported by people who do work without being paid
: doing work without being paid
Full Definition of VOLUNTARY
1
: proceeding from the will or from one's own choice or consent
2
: unconstrained by interference : self-determining
3
: done by design or intention : intentional <voluntary manslaughter>
4
: of, relating to, subject to, or regulated by the will <voluntary behavior>
5
: having power of free choice
6
: provided or supported by voluntary action
7
: acting or done of one's own free will without valuable consideration or legal obligation
— vol·un·tar·i·ly adverb
— vol·un·tar·i·ness noun
See voluntary defined for English-language learners
See voluntary defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of VOLUNTARY
Middle English, from Anglo-French voluntarie, from Latin voluntarius, from voluntas will, from velle to will, wish — more at will
Related to VOLUNTARY
- Synonyms
- freewill, self-imposed, uncoerced, unforced, volitional, volunteer, willing
- Antonyms
- coerced, compelled, forced, involuntary, nonvoluntary, unwilled, will-less
Synonym Discussion of VOLUNTARY
voluntary, intentional, deliberate, willing mean done or brought about of one's own will. voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion <a voluntary confession>. intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved <the intentional concealment of vital information>. deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences <deliberate acts of sabotage>. willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another <willing obedience>.
2voluntary
noun
plural voluntar·ies
Definition of VOLUNTARY
1
a : a prefatory often extemporized musical piece b : an improvisatory organ piece played before, during, or after a religious service
2
: one who participates voluntarily
First Known Use of VOLUNTARY
1598
VOLUNTARY Defined for Kids
voluntary
adjective vol·un·tary \ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē\
Definition of VOLUNTARY for Kids
1
: done, given, or acting of free choice <a voluntary confession> <a voluntary participant>
2
: done or acting with no expectation of payment <a voluntary job>
3
: relating to or controlled by the will <voluntary muscle movements>
— vol·un·tar·i·ly \ˌvä-lən-ˈter-ə-lē\ adverb <participate voluntarily>
Synonym Discussion of VOLUNTARY
voluntary, intentional, and deliberate mean done or brought about by choice. voluntary is used of an act that results from freedom of will. <Joining the club is voluntary.> It can also be used of an act that is controlled by the will. <Blinking the eyes can be a voluntary movement.> intentional is used of something that is done for a reason and only after some thought. <Her neglect of the task was intentional.> deliberate is used of an act that is done purposefully and with full understanding of the likely results. <It was a deliberate insult.>
Medical Dictionary
voluntary
adjective vol·un·tary \ˈväl-ən-ˌter-ē\
Medical Definition of VOLUNTARY
1
: proceeding from the will or from one's own choice or consent
2
: of, relating to, subject to, or regulated by the will <voluntary behavior>
—vol·un·tari·ly adverb
Learn More About VOLUNTARY
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: voluntary affidavitPrevious Word in the Dictionary: voluntarismAll Words Near: voluntary
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up voluntary? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).