Added 9 October 2026
voluntary
/ˈvɒl.ən.tɹi/ noun
In Latin: voluntarius Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about voluntary at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- (military) a person who freely enlists for service.
- Composition (often improvised) for a solo instrument (especially solo organ) and not a regular part of a religious service or musical performance.
adjective
Origin
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”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)