voluntary

[[t]vɒ̱ləntri, AM -teri[/t]]

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1) ADJ Voluntary actions or activities are done because someone chooses to do them and not because they have been forced to do them.

Attention is drawn to a special voluntary course in Commercial French...

The scheme, due to begin next month, will be voluntary.

Ant:

obligatory

Derived words:

voluntarily [[t]vɒ̱ləntrəli, AM -terɪli[/t]] ADV ADV with v

I would only leave here voluntarily if there was a big chance to play abroad.

2) ADJ: usu ADJ n Voluntary work is done by people who are not paid for it, but who do it because they want to do it.

In her spare time she does voluntary work...

He'd been working at the local hostel for the handicapped on a voluntary basis.

3) ADJ: usu ADJ n A voluntary worker is someone who does work without being paid for it, because they want to do it.

Apna Arts has achieved more with voluntary workers in three years than most organisations with paid workers have achieved in ten...

We depend solely upon our voluntary helpers.

4) ADJ: ADJ n A voluntary organization is controlled and organized by the people who have chosen to work for it, often without being paid, rather than receiving help or money from the government.

Some local authorities and voluntary organizations also run workshops for disabled people...

It has been largely through the voluntary sector that the needs of victims have been met.

...a voluntary hostel for ex-offenders.