Voluntary Definition
vŏlən-tĕrē
voluntaries, voluntariest
adjective
voluntariest
Brought about by one's own free choice; given or done of one's own free will; freely chosen or undertaken.
Webster's New World
Acting in a specified capacity willingly or of one's own accord.
Webster's New World
Normally controlled by or subject to individual volition.
Voluntary muscle contractions.
American Heritage
Intentional; not accidental.
Voluntary manslaughter.
Webster's New World
Controlled by one's mind or will.
Voluntary muscles.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
noun
voluntaries
A short piece of music, often improvised on a solo instrument, played as an introduction to a larger work.
American Heritage
A piece or solo, often an improvisation, played on the organ before, during, or after a church service.
Webster's New World
A volunteer.
American Heritage
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
- military volunteer
- volunteer
Antonyms:
adverb
(obsolete) Voluntarily.
Wiktionary
Other Word Forms of Voluntary
Noun
Singular:
voluntary
Plural:
voluntariesAdjective
Base Form:
voluntary
Superlative:
voluntariestOrigin of Voluntary
-
From Middle English *voluntarie, from Old French volontaire, from Latin voluntarius (“willing, of free will"), from voluntas (“will, choice, desire"), from volens, present participle of velle (“to will").
From Wiktionary
-
Middle English from Latin voluntārius from voluntās choice from velle vol- to wish wel-1 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Related Articles
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to voluntary using the buttons below.