Etymology of the English word volunteer
the English word
volunteerderived from the French word
volontairederived from the Latin word
voluntarius (volunteer; willing, voluntary)
derived from the Latin word
voluntas (will, desire; purpose)
derived from the Classical Latin word
velle (wish, want, prefer)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*wel-derived from the French word
voluntairederived from the Latin word
voluntarius (volunteer; willing, voluntary)
derived from the Latin word
voluntas (will, desire; purpose)
derived from the Classical Latin word
velle (wish, want, prefer)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*wel-Date
The earliest known usage of volunteer in English dates from the 17th century.
Derivations in English
volunteerism,
volunteered,
volunteeringCognates
Dutch
volontair, German
Volontär, Norwegian
volontor, Swedish
volontärUsage
Word found in Modern English
