voluntary

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun (military) a person who freely enlists for service
  2. noun composition (often improvised) for a solo instrument (especially solo organ) and not a regular part of a religious service or musical performance
  3. adjective of your own free will or design; done by choice; not forced or compelled

Etymology

From Middle English voluntarie, from Old French volontaire, from Latin voluntārius (“willing, of free will”), from voluntās (“will, choice, desire”), from volēns, present participle of volo (“to will”). Displaced native Old English selfwille (literally “self-willed”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

volunteer, military volunteer

A single word — an entire dictionary opens.

Type a word, a sentence, a book title, or a link to an English article. WordNet and the Classics answer.

Try

A library of classics · a vault of words · instant etymology & meaning

Continue reading