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volunteer
/ˌvɒlənˈtɪər/
person who offers help freely
She is a volunteer at the local animal shelter.
She works without pay to help animals in need.
neutral
A person who performs a service willingly and without pay.
Many volunteers helped clean up after the hurricane.
Unpaid helpers assisted in the cleanup effort.
Often implies commitment to a cause or organization.
neutral
To offer to do something without being forced or paid.
He volunteered to organize the event.
He offered to plan the event without payment.
Can be used in professional or personal contexts.
neutral
Done or given without payment; unpaid.
She does volunteer work at the hospital.
Her hospital work is unpaid.
Commonly used to describe unpaid labor or services.
Collocations
volunteer workunpaid labor for a causevolunteer organizationgroup run by unpaid membersvolunteer firefighterfirefighter who works without pay
Synonyms
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Volunteer vs. Employee
A volunteer works without pay, while an employee receives compensation. Always clarify expectations before committing to volunteer work.
Gold Rule
Clarify Terms
When volunteering, confirm whether expenses (e.g., travel) will be reimbursed, even if the role itself is unpaid.
Word Origin
From Latin 'voluntarius' (willing), from 'voluntas' (will). First used in English in the 17th century to describe someone acting by choice.
Usage Notes
Common in contexts like community service, non-profits, and emergency response. Can imply a lower social status in some cultures, but generally carries positive connotations of generosity.
Word Breakdown
volunt-
will, choice
root-eer
person who performs an action
suffixEnglish Dictionary