adj
involuntary
ihn-VOL-uhn-tree
adj
1
Done without conscious control or against one's will.
"Blinking is mostly an involuntary reflex."
"He was placed on involuntary leave from the company."
How to Use Involuntary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHappening automatically or against your will, rather than something you choose to do.
Common pairings
involuntary reflex
involuntary reaction
involuntary manslaughter
Word Forms
more involuntary comparative, most involuntary superlative
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Blinking is mostly an _____ reflex.
Etymology
From Late Latin involuntarius, from in- ("not") + voluntarius ("voluntary").