volunteer

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   tell voluntarily

   I volunteered the information.

2. 2
   verb

   agree freely

   I volunteered to drive our guests home.

3. 3
   noun

   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.

4. 4
   noun

   A voluntary member of the organized militia of a country, as distinguished from a regular or member of the standing army.

   That summer and fall the Army organized twenty-five regiments of volunteers, including two black regiments, which would have all-black captains and lieutenants. All officers were to be selected from regulars and volunteers who had distinguished themselves[…]

5. 5
   verb

   To do or offer to do something voluntarily.

   to volunteer for doing the dishes

6. 6
   verb

   To offer, usually unprompted.

   to volunteer an explanation

7. 7
   verb

   To offer the services of (someone else) to do something.

   My sister volunteered me to do the dishes.

8. 8
   adj

   without payment

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French voluntaire, from Latin voluntārius (“willing, voluntary”); or from voluntary + -eer.