vol·un·tary
ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē 
1
: proceeding from the will or from one's own choice or consent
a voluntary action
voluntary cooperation
2
: unconstrained by interference : self-determining
a voluntary participant
3
law
a
: done by design or intention : intentional
was convicted of voluntary manslaughter
b
: acting or done of one's own free will without valuable consideration or legal obligation
a voluntary conveyance
4
: of, relating to, subject to, or regulated by the will
voluntary muscle movements
voluntary behavior
5
: having power of free choice
a voluntary agent
6
: provided or supported by voluntary action
a voluntary institution/organization
voluntarily
adverb
voluntariness
noun
plural voluntaries
1
a
: a prefatory often extemporized musical piece
b
: an improvisatory organ piece played before, during, or after a religious service
2
: one who participates voluntarily
Synonyms
Examples of voluntary in a Sentence
Adjective
Participation in the program is completely voluntary.
He was charged with voluntary manslaughter.
the voluntary muscles that control urination
Recent Examples on the Web
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023
In 1995, Craig Fellin was one of the founders of the Big Hole Watershed Committee, a group of valley residents formed to find voluntary ways to ease pressure from irrigation and fishing.
—Jim Robbins, New York Times, 12 Sep. 2023
After some officials grilled the company on whether similar incidents could happen in Loudoun, Procopio said that Newport’s facilities are unlocked and clients come on a voluntary basis.
—Teo Armus, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023
The union has stated that these staffers initially first asked for voluntary recognition, but were rebuffed by management.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Sep. 2023
Adding to the suspicion in the years following Morgan Jr.’s killing was the revelation the father pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for killing a man in 1977.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023
That’s deeply messed up and would make the widespread voluntary wearing of hats even more baffling.
—Vulture, 11 Sep. 2023
In a note to clients, analysts at Goldman Sachs now predict that voluntary production cuts by major oil exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia could push the price of Brent up to hit $107 a barrel next December, even accidentally.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2023
The 24-year-old also didn’t participate in the team’s voluntary offseason programs or its mandatory three-day minicamp and later talked about the business side of the game being difficult.
—Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2023
Jasmine Browley, Essence, 12 July 2022
In Libya, Muammar Gaddafi voluntary gave up his nuclear program, but that didn’t stop the United States from actively supporting rebels who toppled his regime and savagely killed him.
—Michael A. Cohen, The New Republic, 25 Jan. 2022
Virginia enacted legislation in 2021 to establish an auto-IRA savings program and the New York state legislature has passed legislation that would amend their law to switch from a voluntary to a mandatory auto-IRA program statewide.
—Dan Doonan, Forbes, 1 Sep. 2021
Danario Green was optimistic about returning to work as a JetBlue flight attendant after taking a five-month voluntary leave earlier in the pandemic.
—Natalie B. Compton, Anchorage Daily News, 23 Nov. 2020
The actual number of layoffs and furloughs may decrease for both American and United before Oct. 1 because of union agreements and other voluntary buyout negotiations, according to company memos.
—Anna Kramer, SFChronicle.com, 4 Aug. 2020
For players, that means a certain level of accomplishment or desire for a new contract can be reason to skip the voluntaries.
—Sam Mellinger, kansascity.com, 20 June 2017
See More
Adjective
Charges of voluntary manslaughter and assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury were filed against the two teens who attacked Diego.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023
In 1995, Craig Fellin was one of the founders of the Big Hole Watershed Committee, a group of valley residents formed to find voluntary ways to ease pressure from irrigation and fishing.
—Jim Robbins, New York Times, 12 Sep. 2023
After some officials grilled the company on whether similar incidents could happen in Loudoun, Procopio said that Newport’s facilities are unlocked and clients come on a voluntary basis.
—Teo Armus, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023
The union has stated that these staffers initially first asked for voluntary recognition, but were rebuffed by management.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Sep. 2023
Adding to the suspicion in the years following Morgan Jr.’s killing was the revelation the father pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for killing a man in 1977.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023
That’s deeply messed up and would make the widespread voluntary wearing of hats even more baffling.
—Vulture, 11 Sep. 2023
In a note to clients, analysts at Goldman Sachs now predict that voluntary production cuts by major oil exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia could push the price of Brent up to hit $107 a barrel next December, even accidentally.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2023
The 24-year-old also didn’t participate in the team’s voluntary offseason programs or its mandatory three-day minicamp and later talked about the business side of the game being difficult.
—Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2023
Noun
Others made the shift into self-employment voluntary after taking the time to evaluate their professional standing.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 12 July 2022
In Libya, Muammar Gaddafi voluntary gave up his nuclear program, but that didn’t stop the United States from actively supporting rebels who toppled his regime and savagely killed him.
—Michael A. Cohen, The New Republic, 25 Jan. 2022
Virginia enacted legislation in 2021 to establish an auto-IRA savings program and the New York state legislature has passed legislation that would amend their law to switch from a voluntary to a mandatory auto-IRA program statewide.
—Dan Doonan, Forbes, 1 Sep. 2021
Danario Green was optimistic about returning to work as a JetBlue flight attendant after taking a five-month voluntary leave earlier in the pandemic.
—Natalie B. Compton, Anchorage Daily News, 23 Nov. 2020
The actual number of layoffs and furloughs may decrease for both American and United before Oct. 1 because of union agreements and other voluntary buyout negotiations, according to company memos.
—Anna Kramer, SFChronicle.com, 4 Aug. 2020
For players, that means a certain level of accomplishment or desire for a new contract can be reason to skip the voluntaries.
—Sam Mellinger, kansascity.com, 20 June 2017
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'voluntary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, from Anglo-French voluntarie, from Latin voluntarius, from voluntas will, from velle to will, wish — more at will
First Known Use
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4
Noun
1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of voluntary was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing voluntary
Dictionary Entries Near voluntary
Cite this Entry
“Voluntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voluntary. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
voluntary
1 of 2 adjective
vol·un·tary
ˈväl-ən-ˌter-ē
1
: done, given, or made with one's own free will
voluntary assistance
2
: not accidental : intentional
voluntary manslaughter
3
: of, relating to, or controlled by the will
voluntary behavior
voluntary
2 of 2 noun
plural voluntaries
: a musical piece played usually on the organ at a religious service
Medical Definition
voluntary
adjective
vol·un·tary
ˈväl-ən-ˌter-ē
1
: proceeding from the will or from one's own choice or consent
2
: of, relating to, subject to, or regulated by the will
voluntary behavior
voluntarily
adverb
Legal Definition
voluntary
adjective
vol·un·tary
ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē
1
a
: proceeding from one's own free choice or consent rather than as the result of duress, coercion, or deception
a voluntary statement
b
: not compelled by law : done as a matter of choice or agreement
voluntary arbitration
c
: made freely and with an understanding of the consequences
a voluntary plea of guilty
2
: done by design or intention
3
: made without valuable consideration or for nominal consideration
a voluntary conveyance
voluntarily
adverb
ˌvä-lən-ˈter-ə-lē
voluntariness
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on voluntary
Nglish: Translation of voluntary for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of voluntary for Arabic Speakers
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