/ ˌvɒlənˈtɪə(r); NAmE ˌvɑːlənˈtɪr/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a person who does a job without being paid for it :
volunteer helpers
Schools need volunteers to help children to read.
2.
a person who offers to do sth without being forced to do it :
Are there any volunteers to help clear up?
3.
a person who chooses to join the armed forces without being forced to join
—compare conscript
■ verb
1.
volunteer (sth) (for / as sth) to offer to do sth without being forced to do it or without getting paid for it :
[ v to inf ]
Jill volunteered to organize a petition.
[ v ]
Several staff members volunteered for early retirement.
[ vn ]
He volunteered his services as a driver.
2.
to suggest sth or tell sb sth without being asked :
[ vn ]
to volunteer advice
[also v speech ]
3.
volunteer (for sth) to join the army, etc. without being forced to :
[ v ]
to volunteer for military service
[also v to inf ]
4.
volunteer sb (for / as sth) to suggest sb for a job or an activity, even though they may not want to do it :
[ vn ]
They volunteered me for the job of interpreter.
[also vn to inf ]
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent. (as a noun, with military reference): from French volontaire voluntary. The change in the ending was due to association with -eer .