I. ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē 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
II. noun
( plural -tar·ies )
Date: 1598
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 : volunteer