voluntarily

Everyday

1. Because you choose to, without being forced or paid. tree →
2. (formal) Of your own free will. tree →

In the lessons

In citizenship and everyday life: people help voluntarily at charity events. In formal and news language: «He voluntarily handed himself in.» Tells the reader the person chose to act.

Examples

• She voluntarily stayed behind to tidy the classroom. tree →
• He voluntarily gave back the money he had found. tree →
• Many people voluntarily give blood. tree →
• The children voluntarily raised money for the shelter. tree →
• Nobody asked him; he did it voluntarily. tree →
• The player voluntarily left the game to let others play. tree →
• He became, however, so attached to Aphrodite that he voluntarily devoted to her the time at his own disposal. tree →

Note

Adjective: voluntary; noun: volunteer. Say VOL-un-tair-i-lee (US) or vol-un-TAIR-i-lee (UK). Opposite: by force, compulsorily.