Definitions for voluntaryˈvɒl ənˌtɛr i

vol•un•tar•y^*ˈvɒl ənˌtɛr i(adj.; n.)(pl.)-tar•ies.

(adj.)done, made, brought about, or undertaken of one's own accord or by free choice:
a voluntary contribution.
of, pertaining to, or acting in accord with the will.
of, pertaining to, or depending on voluntary action:
voluntary hospitals.
done by or composed of volunteers.
Law. acting or done without compulsion or obligation. done by intention, and not by accident: made without valuable consideration:
voluntary manslaughter.
a voluntary settlement.
Category: Law
subject to or controlled by the will.
Category: Physiology
having the power of willing or choosing:
a voluntary agent.
proceeding from a natural impulse; spontaneous.
(n.)someone or something voluntary.
a piece of music performed as a prelude to a larger work, esp. an organ piece performed before, during, or after a church service.
Category: Music and Dance

^* Syn: See deliberate.

1350–1400; < L voluntārius, der. of volunt(ās) willingness, inclination, der. of velle to want, wish; see will1, -ent )

vol′un•tar`i•ness(n.)

volunteer, military volunteer, voluntary(noun)
(military) a person who freely enlists for service
voluntary(adj)
composition (often improvised) for a solo instrument (especially solo organ) and not a regular part of a religious service or musical performance
voluntary(adj)
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"
voluntary(adj)
controlled by individual volition
"voluntary motions"; "voluntary muscles"

voluntary(adjective)ˈvɒl ənˌtɛr i
≠ obligatory, mandatory
voluntary contributions
voluntaryˈvɒl ənˌtɛr i
(of work) done without payment
voluntary work; He voluntarily answered the officer's questions.

voluntary(Noun)
A short piece of music, often having improvisation, played on a solo instrument
voluntary(Noun)
A volunteer
voluntary(Adverb)
Voluntarily.
voluntary(Adjective)
Done, given, or acting of one's own free will.
voluntary(Adjective)
Working or done without payment.

Origin: From *, from volontaire, from voluntarius, from voluntas, from volens, present participle of velle.

Voluntary(verb)
proceeding from the will; produced in or by an act of choice
Voluntary(verb)
unconstrained by the interference of another; unimpelled by the influence of another; not prompted or persuaded by another; done of his or its own accord; spontaneous; acting of one's self, or of itself; free
Voluntary(verb)
done by design or intention; intentional; purposed; intended; not accidental; as, if a man kills another by lopping a tree, it is not voluntary manslaughter
Voluntary(verb)
of or pertaining to the will; subject to, or regulated by, the will; as, the voluntary motions of an animal, such as the movements of the leg or arm (in distinction from involuntary motions, such as the movements of the heart); the voluntary muscle fibers, which are the agents in voluntary motion
Voluntary(verb)
endowed with the power of willing; as, man is a voluntary agent
Voluntary(verb)
free; without compulsion; according to the will, consent, or agreement, of a party; without consideration; gratuitous; without valuable consideration
Voluntary(verb)
of or pertaining to voluntaryism; as, a voluntary church, in distinction from an established or state church
Voluntary(noun)
one who engages in any affair of his own free will; a volunteer
Voluntary(noun)
a piece played by a musician, often extemporarily, according to his fancy; specifically, an organ solo played before, during, or after divine service
Voluntary(noun)
one who advocates voluntaryism