ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Voluntary

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ˈvɒl.ən.tɹi/ · Part of speech adjective

Quick meaning: Voluntary is an adjective meaning Done, given, or acting of one's own free will.

Meaning

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

More Meanings

  1. Done by design or intention; intentional.
  2. Working or done without payment.
  3. Endowed with the power of willing.
  4. Of or relating to voluntarism.
  5. (music) A short piece of music, often having improvisation, played on a solo instrument.
  6. A volunteer.
  7. (obsolete) Voluntarily.

Example Sentences

Wikimedia is a voluntary service.
She fell, to lust a voluntary prey.
a voluntary church, in distinction from an established or state church
And all that els was pretious and deare, / The sea unto him voluntary brings [...].

Word Forms

Synonyms for voluntary

Depending on context, synonyms include discretionary, optional, volitional, intentional, willful, honorary.

Antonyms for voluntary

Common opposites include compulsory, obligatory, accidental, paid, salaried, involuntary.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include volitional, freewill, self-imposed, willing, wilful, intentional.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.