Meaning & Definition of Involuntary in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: Occurring without intention or will.

  Example Sentence: Her involuntary reaction to the loud noise surprised her.

• Definition: Not subject to control of the will; automatic.

  Example Sentence: Involuntary muscles contract without conscious control.

• Definition: Relating to actions or responses that occur without intentional effort.

  Example Sentence: Involuntary reflexes protect the body from harm.

Etymology

Origin: From Latin involuntarius, meaning 'not willing, unintentional'.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• involuntary manslaughter: The unlawful killing of a person without malice aforethought, often as a result of negligence.
• involuntary commitment: The process of admitting an individual to a mental health facility against their will.
• involuntary muscle: Muscle that is not under conscious control, such as the heart muscle.

Translations

• Spanish: involuntario

• French: involontaire

• German: unfreiwillig

• Russian: непроизвольный

Related Words

• voluntary: Done by one's own free will.

• reflex: An automatic response to a stimulus.

Slang Meanings of involuntary

• Meaning: Unintentional reaction.

  Example Sentence: Her jump at the surprise party was totally involuntary.

• Meaning: A reflex action.

  Example Sentence: That flinch was an involuntary response, not something I meant to do.