## Meanings
1. Done by choice, of one's own free will.
2. Done without payment.
3. Controlled by a person's own will, rather than happening automatically.

## Examples
- Taking part in the survey is completely voluntary.
- She does voluntary work at the local hospital.
- Walking is a voluntary movement, but breathing is mostly automatic.

## Synonyms
- discretionary
- intentional
- optional
- volitional
- willful

## Antonyms
- accidental
- compulsory
- obligatory
- paid
- salaried

## Derived Forms
- voluntarily

## Related Forms
- voluntarism
- voluntarist

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *welh₁-
- Root: voluntarie
- Root: volontaire
- Root: voluntārius

## 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”).

## AI Etymology
Voluntary is 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 present-day use, it can mean done by choice, of one's own free will, or done without payment. Derived formations include voluntarily.

## Topics
- People & Society
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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