[
US
/ˈvɑɫəntɛɹi/
]
[ UK /vˈɒləntəɹi/ ]
[ UK /vˈɒləntəɹi/ ]
ADJECTIVE
-
controlled by individual volition
voluntary muscles
voluntary motions -
of your own free will or design; done by choice; not forced or compelled
a voluntary confession
participation was voluntary
voluntary social workers
voluntary generosity in times of disaster
man is a voluntary agent
voluntary manslaughter
NOUN
- composition (often improvised) for a solo instrument (especially solo organ) and not a regular part of a religious service or musical performance
- (military) a person who freely enlists for service
How To Use voluntary In A Sentence
- At election time the party needs a lot of voluntary helpers.
- The coulpe or peccavi, is made for a very small matter — a broken glass, a torn veil, an involuntary delay of a few seconds at an office, a false note in church, etc.; this suffices, and the coulpe is made. Les Miserables
- Other ocular signs include involuntary rhythmic movement of the eyeball.
- The voluntary muscles are regulated by the parts of the brain known as the cerebral motor cortex and the cerebellum.
- I'm delighted that our local communities and voluntary groups are taking the lead on renewable energy for lighting and heating.
- Comparison of voluntary food and water intake and digestion in Kirk's dik-dik and suni. Chapter 11
- We are totally reliant on voluntary donations. The Sun
- Otherwise you'll just have to pump as much as you can into the scheme through voluntary contributions, although scope here is limited as you are restricted to a maximum of 15% of your annual salary.
- Lawyers expressed concern that women could be coerced and forced to accept apparently voluntary agreements to their disadvantage. Times, Sunday Times
- Hats bowl away, coats fly open, skirts cling, umbrellas flype themselves: and their owners, grotesquely running, grabbing, snatching, struggling, are consumed with rueful and involuntary mirth. Try Anything Twice
