volunteer

vol|un|teer¹ [ˌvɔlənˈtıə US ˌva:lənˈtır] n

[Date: 1500-1600; : French; Origin: volontaire, from Latin voluntarius; VOLUNTARY¹]

1.) someone who does a job willingly without being paid

▪ Most of the relief work was done by volunteers.

2.) someone who is willing to offer help

▪ I need some volunteers to help with the washing-up.

3.) someone who joins the army, navy, or air force without being forced to

→↑conscript

volunteer ²

volunteer² v

1.) [I and T]

to offer to do something without expecting any reward, often something that other people do not want to do

volunteer to do sth

▪ Helen volunteered to have Thanksgiving at her house this year.

volunteer for

▪ Sidcup volunteered for guard duty.

▪ I volunteered my services as a driver.

2.) [T]

to tell someone something without being asked

▪ Michael volunteered the information before I had a chance to ask.

3.) [I]

to offer to join the army, navy, or airforce

▪ When war broke out, my father volunteered immediately.

4.) [T]

to say that someone else will do a job even though they may not want to do it

volunteer sb for sth

▪ Mum volunteered Dave for washing-up duties.