volunteer
voln-TEER
Volunteer (noun) means someone who offers to do a task, often unpaid, without being forced to. Example: “We need a volunteer to hand out the leaflets at the school fair.”
noun
1
Someone who offers to do a task, often unpaid, without being forced to.
"We need a volunteer to hand out the leaflets at the school fair."
"The shelter relies almost entirely on volunteers."
"She works as a volunteer at the local hospital on weekends."
verb
1
To offer to do something without being asked or paid.
"When the teacher asked for help, Mia volunteered to carry the boxes."
"He volunteered to stay late and finish the report."
"Nobody volunteered for the extra shift, so the manager assigned it."
How to use volunteer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who offers to help freely, or the act of offering to do something unpaid.
Common pairings
volunteer your time
volunteer for duty
become a volunteer
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Word forms
- Plural
- volunteers
- Third person singular
- volunteers
- Past tense
- volunteered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We need a _____ to hand out the leaflets at the school fair.
Etymology
From French voluntaire, from Latin voluntarius, "willing" — originally used specifically for soldiers who chose to serve rather than being conscripted.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
draftee
Related words
Rhymes for volunteer
See all rhymes for volunteer →Frequently asked questions
What does “volunteer” mean?
The word “volunteer” means someone who offers to do a task, often unpaid, without being forced to. In plain terms, someone who offers to help freely, or the act of offering to do something unpaid.
How do you pronounce “volunteer”?
“Volunteer” is pronounced voln-TEER (/ˌvɑlənˈtɪɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “volunteer” in a sentence?
Here is “volunteer” used in a sentence: “The shelter relies almost entirely on volunteers.”
What part of speech is “volunteer”?
Depending on how it is used, “volunteer” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “volunteer” come from?
The word “volunteer” comes from Latin. From French voluntaire, from Latin voluntarius, "willing" — originally used specifically for soldiers who chose to serve rather than being conscripted.
Is “volunteer” a common word?
“Volunteer” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “volunteer” have?
“Volunteer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who offers to do a task, often unpaid, without being forced to.
What is the difference between a volunteer and an intern?
A volunteer offers to do a task, often unpaid, without being forced to, and usually has no formal employment tie. An intern also may be unpaid, but typically works to gain experience or training within a structured position, sometimes for course credit or a stipend.
What is the difference between 'volunteer' and 'conscript'?
A volunteer offers to do something freely, without being forced or paid. A conscript is the opposite: someone compelled to serve, especially in the military, by law rather than by choice.
Can 'volunteer' be used as both a noun and a verb?
Yes. As a noun, a volunteer is someone who offers to do a task, often unpaid, without being forced. As a verb, to volunteer means to offer to do something without being asked or paid, as in 'she volunteered to help.'
Does 'volunteer' always mean unpaid work?
Not always. While a volunteer often works without pay, the core meaning is offering to do something freely and without being forced. You can 'volunteer' an answer or information, where payment is not involved at all.
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