vol·un·tar·y (v l n-t r )adj.1. Done or undertaken of one's own free will: a voluntary decision to leave the job. 2. Acting or done willingly and without constraint or expectation of reward: a voluntary hostage; voluntary community work. 3. Normally controlled by or subject to individual volition: voluntary muscle contractions. 4. Capable of making choices; having the faculty of will. 5. Supported by contributions or charitable donations rather than by government appropriations: voluntary hospitals. 6. Law a. Without legal obligation or consideration: a voluntary conveyance of property. b. Done deliberately; intentional: voluntary manslaughter. n. pl. vol·un·tar·ies 1. Music a. A short piece of music, often improvised on a solo instrument, played as an introduction to a larger work. b. A piece for solo organ, often improvised, played before, during, or after a religious service. 2. A volunteer.
[Middle English, from Latin volunt rius, from volunt s, choice, from velle, vol-, to wish; see wel-1 in Indo-European roots.]
vol un·tar i·ly (-târ -l ) adv. vol un·tar i·ness n. Synonyms: voluntary, intentional, deliberate, willful, willing These adjectives mean being or resulting from one's own free will. Voluntary implies the operation of unforced choice: "Ignorance, when it is voluntary, is criminal" Samuel Johnson. Intentional applies to something undertaken to further a plan or realize an aim: "I will abstain from all intentional wrongdoing and harm" Hippocratic Oath. Deliberate stresses premeditation and full awareness of the character and consequences of one's acts: taking deliberate and decisive action. Willful implies deliberate, headstrong persistence in a self-determined course of action: a willful waste of time. Willing suggests ready or cheerful acquiescence in the proposals or requirements of another: "The first requisite of a good citizen ... is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight" Theodore Roosevelt. |
voluntary Adjective 1. done or undertaken by free choice: voluntary repatriation 2. done or maintained without payment: voluntary work 3. (of muscles) having their action controlled by the will Noun pl -taries Music a composition, usually for organ, played at the beginning or end of a church service [Latin voluntarius] voluntarily adv
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | voluntary - (military) a person who freely enlists for service | | 2. | voluntary - composition (often improvised) for a solo instrument (especially solo organ) and not a regular part of a religious service or musical performancesolo - a musical composition for one voice or instrument (with or without accompaniment) postlude - a voluntary played at the end of a religious service | | Adj. | 1. | voluntary - of your own free will or design; done by choice; not forced or compelled; "man is a voluntary agent"; "participation was voluntary"; "voluntary manslaughter"; "voluntary generosity in times of disaster"; "voluntary social workers"; "a voluntary confession"conscious - knowing and perceiving; having awareness of surroundings and sensations and thoughts; "remained conscious during the operation"; "conscious of his faults"; "became conscious that he was being followed" intended - resulting from one's intentions; "your intended trip abroad"; "an intended insult" willing - disposed or inclined toward; "a willing participant"; "willing helpers" involuntary, nonvoluntary, unvoluntary - not subject to the control of the will; "involuntary manslaughter"; "involuntary servitude"; "an involuntary shudder"; "It (becoming a hero) was involuntary. They sank my boat"- John F.Kennedy | | 2. | voluntary - controlled by individual volition; "voluntary motions"; "voluntary muscles"physiology - the branch of the biological sciences dealing with the functioning of organisms involuntary - controlled by the autonomic nervous system; without conscious control; "involuntary muscles"; "gave an involuntary start" |
voluntary adjective 2. optional, discretionary, up to the individual, open, unforced, unconstrained, unenforced, at your discretion, discretional, open to choice, uncompelled << OPPOSITE obligatory
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