French Conversation · Level 77
60 words
French word
volontaire
Pronunciation
IPA/volɔ̃tɛʁ/
Meaning
- adjectivewilling
Example
Il est volontaire.
He is willing.
More examples
C'était un acte volontaire.
It was a voluntary act.
Core concept
A person stepping forward by choice, or an action carried out without outside pressure.
Common phrases
être volontaire
be willing
acte volontaire
voluntary act
Similar words
bénévole: Involving unpaid help or service offered willingly.
spontané: Occurring naturally without prior planning.
intentionnel: Done deliberately with a specific intention.
déterminé: Showing strong resolve to pursue a chosen goal.
Definition in French
Qui agit de sa propre volonté, sans contrainte extérieure, par initiative personnelle.
Word origin
French volontaire comes from Latin voluntarius, formed from voluntas, meaning 'will', and developed in French with senses linked to personal choice.
Usage tips
- As an adjective, volontaire has the same singular form for masculine and feminine nouns; the plural form is volontaires.
Other meanings
- voluntaryadjective
- intentionaladjective
- volunteernoun
Opposites
- involontaireinvoluntaryadjective
- obligatoiremandatoryadjective
Related words
- volontairementvoluntarilyadverb
- volontariatvolunteer worknoun