n.
Pronunciation: ' vä-l ə n- ˌ ter- ē
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French voluntarie, from Latin voluntarius, from voluntas will, from velle to will, wish ― more at WILL
Date: 14th century
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 <a voluntary organization>
7 : acting or done of one's own free will without valuable consideration or legal obligation
– vol · un · tar · i · ly adverb
– vol · un · tar · i · ness noun
synonyms 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>.