ENGLISH
REFERENCE

voluntary

adj. · n.
US //ˈvɑɫəntɛɹi// UK //vˈɒləntəɹi// vol·un·tary
  1. 1 by choice (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    done or given because you want to do it, not because someone forces you.

    performed, given, or acting of one's own free will rather than under compulsion.

    Example

    Attendance at the after-school club is strictly voluntary for all students.

    Example

    The company requested voluntary redundancies to avoid the need for compulsory layoffs during the restructuring process.
  2. 2 unpaid work (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    working or done without receiving any money or payment.

    working or performed without payment, typically within a charitable or community context.

    Example

    She does voluntary work at the local animal shelter on weekends.

    Example

    The charity relies heavily on voluntary contributions and the dedication of its unpaid staff to maintain its outreach programmes.
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  1. 3 intentional (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    done on purpose or by design.

    relating to actions controlled by the will; intentional rather than accidental or automatic.

    Example

    Walking is a voluntary action, unlike the beating of your heart.

    Example

    The patient regained voluntary control over his leg muscles after several months of intensive physical therapy.

    Usage

    Often used in biology to describe muscle movements.

    Teacher's tip

    In a medical or biological context, this is the opposite of a reflex.
  2. 4 organ music (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Technical Music

    a piece of music played on an organ, usually at the start or end of a church service.

    an organ solo played before, during, or after a religious service, often involving improvisation.

    Example

    The organist played a beautiful voluntary as the wedding guests left the church.

    Example

    The service concluded with a spirited trumpet voluntary that resonated throughout the cathedral's vaulted nave.
Origin

From Middle English voluntarie, from Old French volontaire, from Latin voluntārius (“willing, of free will”), from voluntās (“will, choice, desire”), from volēns, present participle of volo (“to will”). Displaced native Old English selfwille (literally “self-willed”).

Word family

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