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voluntary

vol·un·tar·y
V v

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [vol-uh n-ter-ee]
    • /ˈvɒl ənˌtɛr i/
    • /ˈvɒl.ən.tər.i/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [vol-uh n-ter-ee]
    • /ˈvɒl ənˌtɛr i/

Definitions of voluntary word

  • adjective voluntary done, made, brought about, undertaken, etc., of one's own accord or by free choice: a voluntary contribution. 1
  • adjective voluntary of, relating to, or acting in accord with the will: voluntary cooperation. 1
  • adjective voluntary of, relating to, or depending on voluntary action: voluntary hospitals. 1
  • adjective voluntary Law. acting or done without compulsion or obligation. done by intention, and not by accident: voluntary manslaughter. made without valuable consideration: a voluntary settlement. 1
  • adjective voluntary Physiology. subject to or controlled by the will. 1
  • adjective voluntary having the power of willing or choosing: a voluntary agent. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of voluntary

First appearance:

before 1350
One of the 20% oldest English words
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

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Voluntary

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

voluntary popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 89% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

voluntary usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for voluntary

adj voluntary

  • aforethought — premeditated (esp in the phrase malice aforethought)
  • break loose — to free oneself by force
  • chargeless — without charge; of no cost
  • considered — A considered opinion or act is the result of careful thought.
  • costless — the price paid to acquire, produce, accomplish, or maintain anything: the high cost of a good meal.

adjective voluntary

  • coldblooded — having a body temperature that fluctuates, approximating that of the surrounding air, land, or water
  • deliberate — If you do something that is deliberate, you planned or decided to do it beforehand, and so it happens on purpose rather than by chance.
  • designful — full of design or intention
  • elective — Related to or working by means of election.
  • express — By express train or delivery service.

Antonyms for voluntary

adj voluntary

  • all-important — crucial; vital
  • climatic — Climatic conditions, changes, and effects relate to the general weather conditions of a place.
  • compulsory — If something is compulsory, you must do it or accept it, because it is the law or because someone in a position of authority says you must.
  • condign — (esp of a punishment) fitting; deserved
  • conscripted — enrolled for compulsory service, esp military service

adjective voluntary

  • automatic — An automatic machine or device is one which has controls that enable it to perform a task without needing to be constantly operated by a person. Automatic methods and processes involve the use of such machines.
  • compulsatory — compulsory
  • essential — Absolutely necessary; extremely important.
  • highhanded — Alternative spelling of high-handed.
  • inevasible — Incapable of being evaded.

Top questions with voluntary

  • what is the difference between voluntary and involuntary muscles?
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See also

Matching words

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