voluntary
gb/vˈɑləntɛɹi/ us/vˈɑləntɛɹi/
B1
Inglés
~ 2300
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
B1
property
1
Done freely without pressure
Done because you choose to, not because you have to or are paid.
Patrón de uso:
[something] is voluntary
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'voluntary' with 'volunteer'. 'Voluntary' describes something done by choice, while 'volunteer' refers to a person who offers to do something without pay.
Sinónimos
optional (Implies something is not required but available as a choice.)
|
willing (Focuses more on the person's readiness or desire rather than the absence of compulsion.)
Antónimos
mandatory (Required by rules or laws; not optional.)
|
compulsory (Must be done; no choice allowed.)
Colocaciones
voluntary work
|voluntary contribution
|voluntary action
|voluntary agreement
Temas
work
|law
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Ejemplos
- Participation in the survey is completely voluntary.
- He made a voluntary donation to the charity.
- The company offers voluntary training sessions for employees.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The meeting is voluntary.
- She gave a voluntary gift to the school.
- Joining the club is voluntary.
adjective
technical
B2
property
2
Controlled by conscious decision (biology)
About body movements you can control with your mind.
Patrón de uso:
voluntary [muscle/movement/action]
Error frecuente:
Learners may confuse voluntary (controlled) with intentional; in biology, voluntary refers specifically to muscles/actions controlled consciously.
Sinónimos
intentional (Refers broadly to actions done on purpose; less technical than 'voluntary' in physiology.)
Antónimos
involuntary (Happening without conscious control.)
Colocaciones
voluntary muscle
|voluntary movement
|voluntary control
Temas
science
|health
|body
Ejemplos
- Walking is a voluntary movement controlled by the brain.
- The experiment measured both voluntary and involuntary muscle responses.
- Speech involves the use of voluntary muscles in the mouth and throat.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- Smiling can be a voluntary action.
- We can make voluntary movements like raising a hand.
- Breathing fast can be voluntary when running.
Sustantivo
C1
entity
3
Short musical piece before service
A short piece of music played in church before or after the service.
Error frecuente:
Learners might think 'voluntary' here means 'optional', but in music it refers to a specific type of piece.
Sinónimos
prelude (A short introductory piece of music; not limited to church settings.)
Colocaciones
organ voluntary
Temas
music
|religion
|arts_entertainment
Ejemplos
- The organist played a beautiful voluntary before the service began.
- The wedding ceremony started with a joyful voluntary.
- The choir entered as the organ voluntary came to an end.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The organist played a voluntary.
- We heard a voluntary before the service.
- The voluntary was slow and calm.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
voluntary
AFI
GB/vˈɑləntɛɹi/
US/vˈɑləntɛɹi/
Sílabas y acento
vol - un - tary (3 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (vol)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: voluntary
Noun
- Base: voluntary
- Plural: voluntaries
Familia de palabras
Forms
voluntaries
noun
Core family
voluntarily
adverb B2
volunteer
noun A2
Negative and opposite forms
involuntary
adjective
involuntarily
adverb B2
Advanced or less common
volunteerism
noun C1
Expresiones
voluntary sector
1/vˈɑləntɛɹi sˈɛktɚ/
fixed phrase
Nonprofit part of economy
Organizations and activities that are not for profit and often depend on volunteers and donations.
Ejemplos
- Funding cuts have hit the voluntary sector hard this year.
- The voluntary sector plays an important role in supporting communities.
voluntary work
1/vˈɑləntɛɹi wˈɚk/
fixed phrase
Unpaid work done by choice
Work that you do because you want to, without pay, usually to help people or an organization.
Ejemplos
- She spends her weekends doing voluntary work at the animal shelter.
- Voluntary work can be a great way to gain experience.
voluntary redundancy
1/vˈɑləntɛɹi ɹɪdˈʌndənsi/
fixed phrase
Agreed job departure with payout
When a worker agrees to leave their job because their employer offers money or benefits for them to go.
Ejemplos
- The company offered voluntary redundancy packages to reduce staff numbers.
- The firm offered voluntary redundancy to reduce staff numbers without making compulsory cuts.
- She took voluntary redundancy after 15 years with the firm.
- She applied for voluntary redundancy when the scheme was announced.