voluntary

adjective

vol·un·tary | \ ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē

Definition of voluntary

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : proceeding from the will or from one's own choice or consent

2 : unconstrained by interference : self-determining

3 : done by design or intention : intentional voluntary manslaughter

4 : of, relating to, subject to, or regulated by the will voluntary behavior

5 : having power of free choice

6 : provided or supported by voluntary action

7 : acting or done of one's own free will without valuable consideration or legal obligation

voluntary

noun

plural voluntaries

Definition of voluntary (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : a prefatory often extemporized musical piece

b : an improvisatory organ piece played before, during, or after a religious service

2 : one who participates voluntarily

Other Words from voluntary Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about voluntary

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for voluntary

Adjective

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

Adjective

voluntary, intentional, and deliberate mean done or brought about by choice. voluntary is used of an act that results from freedom of will. Joining the club is voluntary. It can also be used of an act that is controlled by the will. Blinking the eyes can be a voluntary movement. intentional is used of something that is done for a reason and only after some thought. Her neglect of the task was intentional. deliberate is used of an act that is done purposefully and with full understanding of the likely results. It was a deliberate insult.

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

This caused the voluntary recalls by Trader Joe's and Caito Foods. — Sophia Caraballo, Woman's Day, "Trader Joe's Is Recalling It's Cantaloupe Slices Due to Possible Salmonella Outbreak," 17 Apr. 2019 The program is technically voluntary, but most players attend most or all, and especially any who are fighting for a roster spot. — Bob Condotta, The Seattle Times, "Seahawks waive kicker Sam Ficken, linebacker Emmanuel Beal," 12 Apr. 2019 Participation by the bishops in investigations would be voluntary, and the commission could only access evidence held by a bishop or his diocese if the bishop consents to it, Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit told the conference. — Marisa Iati, The Seattle Times, "Bishops are conflicted about how they need to change to reduce sexual abuse," 13 Nov. 2018 Writing the lethal prescriptions is voluntary for doctors, and some medical facilities, including all Catholic and church-affiliated hospitals, have not allowed their physicians to prescribe such medicines. — Soumya Karlamangla, latimes.com, "374 Californians took their lives in 2017 under physician-assisted suicide law," 22 June 2018 This assistance is provided as close to refugees’ homes as possible in order to facilitate their voluntary, safe, and dignified return if and when conditions allow. — Gina Martinez, Time, "Mike Pompeo Vows U.S. Will Protect 'the Most Vulnerable Refugees' Amid Trump Administration's Family Separation Controversy," 20 June 2018 The Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that the voluntary recall includes several models of the Dodge Journey, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass, some going back to the 2011 model year. — Adrienne Roberts, WSJ, "Fiat Chrysler to Recall Nearly 863,000 Vehicles After Emission Tests," 13 Mar. 2019 The preferred dividend is voluntary, but comes with the protection that a normal equity dividend can’t be paid unless the preferred has been paid first. — James Mackintosh, WSJ, "When Investing Is About the CEO’s Goodwill," 17 Feb. 2019 In 2016, 20 automakers reached an agreement with the U.S. government to put automatic emergency braking on all new vehicles by September of 2022, but compliance is voluntary. — Jamey Keaten, The Seattle Times, "40 countries agree cars must have automatic braking," 13 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

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, "Mellinger Minutes: Royals surging, Royals trading (?), Kyle Zimmer and Pat Mahomes," 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'voluntary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.