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volunteer

Syllabification: (vol·un·teer)

Pronunciation: /ˌvälənˈtir/

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Definition of volunteer

noun

a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.
a person who works for an organization without being paid.
a person who freely enrolls for military service rather than being conscripted, especially a member of a force formed by voluntary enrollment and distinct from the regular army.
a plant that has not been deliberately planted.
Law a person to whom a voluntary conveyance or deposition is made.

verb

[no object]

freely offer to do something:he volunteered for the job [with infinitive]:I rashly volunteered to be a contestant
[with object] offer (help):he volunteered his services as a driver for the convoy
[reporting verb] say or suggest something without being asked: [with object]:it never paid to volunteer information [with direct speech]:“Her name’s Louise,” Christina volunteered
work for an organization without being paid.
[with object] commit (someone) to a particular undertaking, typically without consulting them:he was volunteered for parachute training by friends

Origin:

late 16th century (as a noun, with military reference): from French volontaire 'voluntary'. The change in the ending was due to association with -eer

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volunteer

noun

verb

Origin:

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