French word

volontairement

Pronunciation

IPA/volɔ̃tɛʁəmɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbon purpose

Example

Elle l'a fait volontairement.

She did it on purpose.

Illustration for volontairement (on purpose)

More examples

Il a ignoré l'appel volontairement.

He deliberately ignored the call.

Core concept

An intentional act carried out to make a desired result happen.

Common phrases

  • ignorer volontairement

    deliberately ignore

  • choisir volontairement

    deliberately choose

  • cacher volontairement

    deliberately hide

Similar words

exprès: An informal way to say that something was done on purpose.

Definition in French

Exprime qu'une action a été accomplie délibérément, avec l'intention de produire un résultat.

Word origin

Volontairement is the adverbial form of volontaire, an adjective inherited through French from Latin voluntarius, related to voluntas, 'will'.

Usage tips

  • Volontairement contrasts with sans faire exprès in everyday French, while intentionnellement is a more formal alternative.

Other meanings

  • voluntarilyadverb

Opposites

  • involontairementunintentionallyadverb
  • accidentellementaccidentallyadverb

Related words

Word lists with this word