Added 9 October 2026
volunteer
/ˌvɒl(ə)nˈtɪə/ noun
In Latin: volo, voluntārius Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about volunteer at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
One who enters into, or offers themselves for, any service of their own free will, especially when done without pay.
The volunteers at the nature reserve meet up ever other Sunday to help its upkeep.
- One who enters into military service voluntarily (but who, when in service, is subject to discipline and regulations like other soldiers), as opposed to a conscript.
- A voluntary member of the organized militia of a country, as distinguished from a regular or member of the standing army.
verb
- To enlist oneself as a volunteer.
-
To do or offer to do something voluntarily.
to volunteer for doing the dishes
-
To offer, usually unprompted.
to volunteer an explanation
Origin
Borrowed from Middle French voluntaire, from Latin voluntārius (“willing, voluntary”); or from voluntary + -eer.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)