involuntary

[ in-vol-uhn-ter-ee ]
/ ɪnˈvɒl ənˌtɛr i /

adjective

not voluntary; independent of one's will; not by one's own choice: an involuntary listener; involuntary servitude.
unintentional; unconscious: an involuntary gesture.
Physiology. acting independently of or done or occurring without volition: involuntary muscles.

Origin of involuntary

From the Late Latin word involuntārius, dating back to 1525–35. See in-3, voluntary

synonym study for involuntary

1, 3. See automatic.

OTHER WORDS FROM involuntary

in·vol·un·tar·i·ly [in-vol-uhn-ter-uh-lee, -vol-uhn-tair-] /ɪnˈvɒl ənˌtɛr ə li, -ˌvɒl ənˈtɛər-/, adverb in·vol·un·tar·i·ness, noun

Example sentences from the Web for involuntary

British Dictionary definitions for involuntary

involuntary
/ (ɪnˈvɒləntərɪ, -trɪ) /

adjective

carried out without one's conscious wishes; not voluntary; unintentional
physiol (esp of a movement or muscle) performed or acting without conscious control

Derived forms of involuntary

involuntarily, adverb involuntariness, noun

Medical definitions for involuntary

involuntary
[ ĭn-vŏlən-tĕr′ē ]

adj.

Not subject to control of the volition.
Acting or done without or against one's will.

Scientific definitions for involuntary

involuntary
[ ĭn-vŏlən-tĕr′ē ]

Not under conscious control. Most of the biological processes in animals that are vital to life, such as contraction of the heart, blood flow, breathing, and digestion, are involuntary and controlled by the autonomic nervous system.