volunteer
volunteer Lexical Profile
volunteer Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task without being paid or compelled to do so.
"Several community volunteers spent their Saturday morning planting trees in the neighborhood park."
A person who freely enrolls in military service rather than being conscripted or drafted.
"The newly formed regiment was composed entirely of volunteers eager to defend their homeland."
An agricultural or garden plant that grows on its own from self-sown seeds or tubers left by a previous crop, rather than being deliberately planted by a farmer or gardener.
"The tomato seedlings sprouting near the compost bin are volunteers from last summer's harvest."
• verb
To freely offer to do something or work for an organization without being paid or forced.
"She volunteers at the local animal shelter every Tuesday afternoon."
To say, suggest, or provide information willingly without being asked.
"During the interview, the witness volunteered several helpful details about the timeline of events."
To commit or assign someone else to a task or undertaking without first consulting them.
"My sister volunteered me to bake three dozen cupcakes for the school fundraiser."
• adjective
Relating to, consisting of, or done by people who offer their time and services freely without financial compensation.
"The small rural town relies heavily on its volunteer fire department to respond to local emergencies."
• Rhymes for volunteer
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from Middle French volontaire ('one who offers himself for military service'), from Latin voluntarius ('of one's free will'), derived from voluntas ('will, desire') and velle ('to wish').