Word family noun volunteer adjective voluntary ≠ involuntary verb volunteer adverb voluntarily ≠ involuntarily
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishvoluntaryvol‧un‧ta‧ry1 /ˈvɒləntəri $ ˈvɑːlənteri/ ●●○ W3 AWL adjective 1 WILLING a) SSOFREE/COST NOTHING voluntary organization/association/agency etc an organization etc that is organized or supported by people who give their money, services etc because they want to and who do not intend to make a profit → volunteer a voluntary organization providing help for the elderly environmental work carried out by the voluntary sector b) voluntary work/service etc work etc that is done by people who do it because they want to, and who are not paid She does a lot of voluntary work for the Red Cross. a drop-in centre for homeless people, run on a voluntary basis2 WILLINGdone willingly and without being forced Workers are being encouraged to take voluntary redundancy. → compulsory3 technicalHBAHBH voluntary movements of your body are controlled by your conscious mind OPP involuntaryCOLLOCATIONSnounsa voluntary organization/group/body/agencyThe day care scheme was run by a voluntary organization.the voluntary sector (=voluntary work and the people involved in it)What is the role of the voluntary sector in sport?voluntary work/serviceHe does voluntary work with young offenders.phraseson a voluntary basisGuide and Scout leaders work on a voluntary basis.Examples from the Corpus
voluntary• Participation in the program is strictly voluntary.• Playing sport on Saturday at school was entirely voluntary.• By being voluntary and reversible, this arrangement avoids being stigmatized by the United Nations as colonial.• The district is calling for a voluntary ban on using wood-burning stoves, in order to improve air quality.• Social responsibility is thus not merely a matter of the adoption of changed standards on a voluntary basis.• Most charities rely on voluntary contributions from the public.• We get all our money from voluntary contributions.• Throughout history the voluntary control of sexuality has been a major preoccupation of all religions, all cultures, all peoples.• voluntary cooperation• The group consists of both professional and voluntary lay members.• Lane has been convicted of attempted voluntary manslaughter and is in custody awaiting sentencing next month.• Shortly after his death and resurrection, the early Christians began to collect church funds through voluntary offerings.• Such New Men would find real contentment through voluntary partnerships with New Women.• Since retiring Martha has been doing voluntary work for the Red Cross.• When she retired, she did a lot of voluntary work for the Red Cross.• It is often the case that voluntary work, of any kind, shows commitment and dedication and impresses employers.• The council is trying to get more young people involved in doing voluntary work.voluntaryvoluntary2 noun (plural voluntaries) [countable] APMa piece of music played in church, usually by the organExamples from the Corpus
voluntary• Where there is adequate equipment, consideration should be given to the use of pre-recorded hymn accompaniments and voluntaries.From Longman Business Dictionaryvoluntaryvol‧un‧ta‧ry /ˈvɒləntəriˈvɑːlənteri/ adjective1done or agreed to willingly and without being forcedHe suggested that workers take voluntary pay cuts to help the economy.Cigar advertising on television is banned under a voluntary agreement.The company was wound up on a voluntary basis.2voluntary work/service etc work etc that is done by people who do it because they want to and are not paid, or are paid very littleIn her spare time, Elaine does voluntary work for a mental health charity.Origin voluntary1 (1300-1400) Latin voluntarius, from voluntas “will”, from velle “to will, wish” 