voluntary

1 of 2

adjective

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

voluntary

2 of 2

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

Adjective

• freewill
• self-imposed
• uncoerced
• unforced
• volitional
• volunteer
• willing

Choose the Right Synonym for voluntary

voluntary, intentional, deliberate, willing mean done or brought about of one's own will.

voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion.

a voluntary confession

intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved.

the intentional concealment of vital information

deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences.

deliberate acts of sabotage

willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another.

willing obedience

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

Adjective

The 49ers’ voluntary offseason program got underway Tuesday, while the trio named above awaits contract extensions befitting their status as underpaid leaders on a franchise in flux. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025

The Washington Post reports that the Office of Personnel Management basically told HR officials across the government that the emails are voluntary and that the agency didn't plan to do anything with the emails that were submitted. —Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025

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

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

Phrases Containing voluntary

• voluntary muscle
• voluntary worker

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

ˌvä-lən-ˈter-ə-lē

adverb

voluntariness noun