- Main Entry:
- 1vol·un·tary
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈvä-lən-ˌter-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>.
