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voluntary - definition and synonyms

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adjective     voluntary pronunciation in American English
  1. 1

    The advertising of alcoholic drinks is regulated by a voluntary code.

  2. 2
    voluntary work is done for no pay

    My job at the hospital is purely voluntary.

    on a voluntary basis (=without being paid):

    All the teachers work on a voluntary basis.

    1. a.
      a voluntary worker receives no pay. Another word for a person who works for no pay is a volunteer.
  3. 3
    biology a voluntary movement or decision is controlled by the person who makes it
  4. 4
    a voluntary organization does important work for the community but is not part of the official government services, and usually has to raise all its money by itself

    the voluntary sector

derived word


     voluntarily pronunciation in American English
/ˌvɑlənˈterəli/ adverb

Did he do it voluntarily, or did you make him?

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