# voluntary

/ˈvɑɫəntɛɹi/ (US) · /vˈɒləntəɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/voluntary
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. by choice

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- Attendance at the after-school club is strictly voluntary for all students.
- The company requested voluntary redundancies to avoid the need for compulsory layoffs during the restructuring process.

### 2. unpaid work

adjective · CEFR B2

working or done without receiving any money or payment.

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

- She does voluntary work at the local animal shelter on weekends.
- The charity relies heavily on voluntary contributions and the dedication of its unpaid staff to maintain its outreach programmes.

### 3. intentional

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

done on purpose or by design.

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

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

Teaching tip: In a medical or biological context, this is the opposite of a reflex.

### 4. organ music

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

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

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

- The organist played a beautiful voluntary as the wedding guests left the church.
- The service concluded with a spirited trumpet voluntary that resonated throughout the cathedral's vaulted nave.

## Examples

- She does voluntary work at the local animal shelter.
- The company asked for voluntary redundancies to avoid forced layoffs during the financial crisis.
- While the participation was technically voluntary, the social pressure from the management made many employees feel that declining the invitation would damage their career prospects.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.