involuntary

/ɪnˈvɒləntri/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈvɑːlənteri/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)in-ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē -ˌte-rē/ (ame, mw)

involuntary — 形容詞

  • involuntarypositive
  • more involuntarycomparative
  • most involuntarysuperlative

1. describes a physical reaction, action, or event that happens without a person's

1.形容詞B2
釋義

不自主的；非自願的

非出於本意或無法控制的

describes a physical reaction, action, or event that happens without a person's conscious decision or desire — for example, a muscle twitch, a sharp intake of breath, or being forced to leave a job.

例句

Fatima let out an involuntary gasp when she saw the huge spider on the kitchen counter.

Fatima 看到廚房檯面上那隻大蜘蛛時，不自主地倒吸了一口氣。

collocation: involuntary + bodily reaction (gasp, flinch, shudder, shiver)

Liam's transfer to the night shift was involuntary, so he started looking for a new job.

Liam 被調去夜班並非自願，所以他開始找新的工作。

collocation: involuntary + unwelcome change (transfer, redundancy, dismissal)

同義詞
  • reflex

    limited to automatic physical reactions (a reflex kick, reflex response); narrower than involuntary

  • automatic

    broader — can describe both physical responses and learned habits; less strong on the 'against one's will' meaning

  • forced

    focuses on external pressure rather than lack of internal control; more negative in tone

  • unintended

    focuses on lack of intention rather than lack of control; often used for outcomes or consequences

反義詞
  • voluntary

    done by choice, with conscious intention — the direct opposite

  • deliberate

    carefully considered and decided upon; implies planning, not just choice

  • intentional

    done on purpose, with a specific aim in mind

文法句型

involuntary + noun

用法筆記

Most common before a noun describing a physical reaction (gasp, flinch, shudder) or an unwelcome change in circumstance (redundancy, transfer). When used after a linking verb (The movement was involuntary), the focus is on lack of conscious control rather than personal unwillingness.

常見錯誤

❌She gave an unwilling gasp when she saw the blood.
✅She gave an involuntary gasp when she saw the blood.
💡'unwilling' describes a person's deliberate choice not to do something; 'involuntary' describes a reaction that happens without conscious control.
❌Military service is involuntary in this country.
✅Military service is compulsory in this country.
💡for laws and official requirements, use 'compulsory' or 'mandatory'; 'involuntary' focuses on personal lack of choice rather than legal obligation.