# volunteering

/ˌvɔɫənˈtɪɹɪŋ/ (US) · /vˌɒləntˈiəɹɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/volunteering
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. charity work

noun · CEFR B1

the act of giving your time and work to help a charity or your community without being paid.

For teachers: the voluntary provision of time and labour for charitable, educational, or community purposes. Uncountable in this sense.

- Volunteering at the local animal shelter has been a very rewarding experience for her.
- The university encourages volunteering as a means for students to develop soft skills while contributing meaningfully to the local community.

## Examples

- Volunteering at the local animal shelter is very rewarding.
- Many students find that volunteering in their community helps them develop leadership skills while building a stronger resume.
- The non-profit organisation relies heavily on corporate volunteering to maintain its mentorship programs, as professional expertise is often more valuable than simple monetary donations.

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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.