voluntary

Done because someone freely chooses to do it, without being forced.

• Attendance is voluntary.
• They made a voluntary donation to the school.
• Was his decision to leave completely voluntary?

Similar words: optional, willing

Opposites: compulsory, involuntary

Common phrases: voluntary participation, voluntary donation, voluntary agreement

Working or done to help others without receiving money.

• She does voluntary work.
• The museum relies on voluntary staff.
• He took a voluntary role helping older people with shopping.

Similar words: unpaid, volunteer

Opposites: paid

Common phrases: voluntary work, voluntary worker, voluntary role

Done deliberately, with awareness and a decision to act.

• Lifting your arm is a voluntary movement.
• The study compared voluntary actions with automatic responses.
• He admitted voluntary manslaughter after the investigation.

Similar words: intentional, deliberate

Opposites: involuntary, accidental

Common phrases: voluntary movement, voluntary act, voluntary manslaughter

Supporting the idea that religion should depend on willing believers rather than government support or control.

• They founded a voluntary church.
• The voluntary principle shaped their views on religion.
• Voluntary churches relied on their members for financial support.

Common phrases: voluntary church, voluntary principle