26984 words

volunteers

8 definitions • 22 examples
1
a person who does something, especially helping other people, willingly and without being forced or paid to do it:

Examples:

The health clinic is relying on volunteers to run the office and answer the phones.
Since it would be a highly dangerous mission, the Lieutenant asked for volunteers.
It's a volunteer army with no paid professionals.
2
to offer to do something that you do not have to do, often without having been asked to do it and/or without expecting payment:

Examples:

[ + to infinitive ] During the emergency many staff volunteered to work through the weekend.
He volunteered for the army (= he joined even though he did not have to).
I volunteered myself for the position of Health and Safety Representative.
humorous My friends volunteered me to do the talking.
3
to give information without being asked:

Examples:

If I were you, I wouldn't volunteer any details of what happened.
[ + speech ] "I saw her going out of the main entrance half an hour ago," he volunteered.
4
a person who does something, esp. for other people or for an organization, willingly and without being forced or paid to do it:

Examples:

The charity relies on volunteers to run the office and answer the phones.
5
to do something, esp. for other people or for an organization, willingly and without being forced or paid to do it:

Examples:

[ + to infinitive ] During the emergency a lot of people volunteered to work through the night.
[ T ] Three physicians volunteered their services.
6
a person who does a job or some work without being paid or forced to do it:

Examples:

They employ 1,000 people and 23,000 volunteers.
I will ask for volunteers to help with the search.
7
to offer to do something without being paid for it or without being asked to do it:

Examples:

If they're short of helpers, I could volunteer.
volunteer to do sth I volunteered to do the accounting.
volunteer sb for/to do sth He volunteered his wife for the job.
More residents need to step forward and volunteer time and energy.
8
used to describe someone who works without expecting payment, or the work they do:

Examples:

Her volunteer work took up most of her free time.

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