Volunteer: meaning, definitions and examples

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volunteer

 

[ ˌvɒlənˈtɪə ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

community service

A person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task without being paid.

Synonyms

aid worker, assistant, helper

Examples of usage

  • He is a dedicated volunteer at the local animal shelter.
  • Many volunteers helped clean up the park after the event.
  • She decided to become a volunteer at the hospital to give back to the community.
Context #2 | Verb

offer to help

Freely offer to do something.

Synonyms

offer, proffer, step forward

Examples of usage

  • She volunteered to organize the charity event.
  • He volunteered to drive the elderly to their appointments.

Translations

Translations of the word "volunteer" in other languages:

🇵🇹 voluntário

🇮🇳 स्वयंसेवक

🇩🇪 Freiwilliger

🇮🇩 relawan

🇺🇦 волонтер

🇵🇱 wolontariusz

🇯🇵 ボランティア

🇫🇷 bénévole

🇪🇸 voluntario

🇹🇷 gönüllü

🇰🇷 자원봉사자

🇸🇦 متطوع

🇨🇿 dobrovolník

🇸🇰 dobrovoľník

🇨🇳 志愿者

🇸🇮 prostovoljec

🇮🇸 sjálfboðaliði

🇰🇿 ерікті

🇬🇪 მოხალისე

🇦🇿 könüllü

🇲🇽 voluntario

Etymology

The word 'volunteer' originated from the Latin word 'voluntarius', meaning 'voluntary'. The concept of volunteering dates back to ancient times when individuals freely offered their services for the greater good of society. Over the years, volunteering has become an essential part of community service and philanthropy, with volunteers playing a significant role in various organizations and causes.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,908 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.