How to pronounce voluntary
Say it like VAH-lun-ter-ee. Voluntary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce voluntary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- VAH
- lun
- ter
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Voluntary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- VAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- lunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of voluntary
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: VOL-un-tuh-ree.
What does voluntary mean?
- of your own free will or design; done by choice; not forced or compelled“man is a voluntary agent”“participation was voluntary”
- controlled by individual volition“voluntary motions”“voluntary muscles”
- (military) a person who freely enlists for service
- composition (often improvised) for a solo instrument (especially solo organ) and not a regular part of a religious service or musical performance
Where does voluntary come from?
From Middle English voluntarie, from Old French volontaire, from Latin voluntārius (“willing, of free will”), from voluntās (“will, choice, desire”), from volēns, present participle of volo (“to will”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying voluntary
How do you pronounce voluntary?
Say VAH-lun-ter-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈvɑləntɛri/. In British English it is /ˈvɒləntəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in voluntary?
Voluntary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VAH). Broken into parts: VAH · lun · ter · ee.
Is voluntary pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈvɒləntəri/ (VOL-un-tuh-ree).