Definition of "volunteer" in English

noun

1. One who enters into, or offers themselves for, any service of their own free will, especially when done without pay.

   • The volunteers at the nature reserve meet up ever other Sunday to help its upkeep.

2. (military) One who enters into military service voluntarily (but who, when in service, is subject to discipline and regulations like other soldiers), as opposed to a conscript.

3. (military) A voluntary member of the organized militia of a country, as distinguished from a regular or member of the standing army.

4. (law) A person who acts out of their own will without a legal obligation, such as a donor.

5. (botany, agriculture) A plant that grows spontaneously, without being cultivated on purpose; see volunteer plant in Wikipedia.

6. A native or resident of the American state of Tennessee.

verb

1. (intransitive) To enlist oneself as a volunteer.

2. (ambitransitive) To do or offer to do something voluntarily.

   • to volunteer for doing the dishes

3. (transitive) To offer, usually unprompted.

   • to volunteer an explanation

4. (transitive, informal) To offer the services of (someone else) to do something.

   • My sister volunteered me to do the dishes.

5. (intransitive, botany) To grow without human sowing or intentional cultivation.