Word
involuntarily
Phoneticsin·vol·un·tar·i·ly, stress on the fourth syllable
US/ˌɪnˌvɑɫənˈtɝəɫi/
UK/ɪnvˌɒləntˈɛɹəli/
Definition
adv. happening without you wanting it to or without you being able to control it. You use this to describe things like sudden movements or feelings you cannot stop.
adv. occurring without the will or control of the person involved. Often describes physical reactions or emotional responses that are automatic and cannot be suppressed.
Examples
“He involuntarily flinched when the loud noise started.”
“The witness involuntarily looked away when the defendant entered the courtroom, showing he was nervous.”
“The athlete involuntarily tensed his muscles as the starting pistol fired, a natural reflex that occurs before the conscious mind can process the signal.”
Examples
simple
“He involuntarily flinched when the loud noise started.”
contextual
“The witness involuntarily looked away when the defendant entered the courtroom, showing he was nervous.”
complex
“The athlete involuntarily tensed his muscles as the starting pistol fired, a natural reflex that occurs before the conscious mind can process the signal.”
Real-World Examples
“Getting a willing person to lie still in a scanner and actively engage with a research question is hard enough; imagine making someone do it involuntarily.” “He previously exposed what he purported to be Loomer’s mental health struggles in a September 2024 post, claiming she had been involuntarily committed to psychiatric facilities.” “Not only are you choosing to throw yourself into the void, but you are also chucking someone else in involuntarily.” Etymology
From involuntary + -ly or in- + voluntarily.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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