English pronunciation · Words Starting with V

Voluntary Pronunciation

Voluntary is pronounced VAH-luhn-te-ree, IPA /ˈvɑləntɛri/.

VAH-luhn-te-ree

US /ˈvɑləntɛri/  ·  UK /ˈvɒləntəri/

Syllables: VAH · luhn · te · ree (4 syllables, stress on syllable 1)

adjective: Done by choice rather than because of an obligation.

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Voluntary in a Sentence

  • Attendance at the briefing is voluntary.
  • She took voluntary redundancy in the spring.
  • The scheme runs on voluntary contributions.

Common Mispronunciations of Voluntary

Not vuh-LUHN-tuh-ree

VAH at the front is the loud beat, unlike volunteer, which pushes everything to the very end.

Not VOH-luhn-te-ree

Short o of hot belongs in that first beat, held down by the two consonants behind it.

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