voluntary
/ˈvɒləntri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈvɑːlənteri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē/ (ame, mw) · /ˈvɒl.ən.tər.i/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈvɑː.lən.ter.i/ (ame, ipa)
voluntary — adjective
- voluntarypositive
- more voluntarycomparative
- most voluntarysuperlative
1. Done because you choose to do it, not because someone forces you or pays you to
Done because you choose to do it, not because someone forces you or pays you to do it.
The school relies on voluntary help from parents to keep the library open.
collocation: voluntary help / voluntary donation
Ziad made a voluntary choice to leave his job and travel for a year.
collocation: voluntary choice / voluntary decision
Attendance at the Saturday workshop is completely voluntary for all staff.
Élise works at the animal shelter on a voluntary basis twice a week.
The factory issued a voluntary recall after discovering a safety problem.
- compulsory
required by rule or law; the opposite of voluntary in educational or workplace contexts
- mandatory
required by an authority; stronger in tone than compulsory
- involuntary
happening without choice, often due to circumstances beyond one's control
文法句型
voluntary + noun
be + voluntary
常見錯誤
2. Relating to an organisation whose members work without pay and donate resources
Relating to an organisation whose members work without pay and donate resources to support a social or charitable purpose.
The community centre is a voluntary organisation run entirely by local residents.
collocation: voluntary organisation / voluntary group
Apinya donated her old winter clothes to a voluntary group that supports refugees.
Many voluntary agencies provide free meals and emergency shelter for families in need.
Reuben joined a voluntary association that offers free English classes to new immigrants.
The hospital runs a voluntary service where retired nurses help train new staff members.
- charitable
more specific — describes an organisation whose main purpose is to help people in need
- non-profit
focuses on the legal structure; does not necessarily imply volunteers run it
- amateur
emphasises that people are not paid, but can imply a lower skill level
- commercial
run for profit rather than for social benefit
- paid
describes work for which people receive wages
文法句型
voluntary + noun
用法筆記
In British English, 'the voluntary sector' is a standard term for charities and non-profit organisations, used alongside 'the public sector' (government) and 'the private sector' (business).
常見錯誤
voluntary — noun
- voluntarysingular
- voluntariesplural
1. A musical work performed on an organ, most often heard in church settings before
A musical work performed on an organ, most often heard in church settings before or after a worship gathering.
The organist played a quiet voluntary as the guests found their seats.
Kevin chose a famous voluntary by Bach for the wedding ceremony.
voluntary + by [composer]
The Sunday service ended with a loud voluntary on the pipe organ.
Tariro is learning a Baroque voluntary for her organ exam next month.
The old church is famous for its evening voluntary played every Friday.
用法筆記
This noun sense is quite specialised and rarely encountered outside church or classical music contexts.