Voluntary means done by choice, without being forced or paid, or done because someone wants to.
From Latin “voluntarius,” meaning “of one’s free will,” from “voluntas,” meaning “will or desire,” from “velle,” meaning “to wish.” The core idea has always been acting from personal choice.
When something is voluntary, the same action suddenly feels very different—think of working late by choice versus by order. Many laws draw a sharp line between voluntary and forced actions when deciding responsibility.
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