Volitionally

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /vəˈlɪʃənəli/

Definitions

1. By exercising one's own will or choice
2. In a way that is guided by personal intention and decision-making
3. In a manner done according to one's own conscious decision or intent

Etymology: "Volitionally" is simply "volitional" with the adverbial ending "-ly" attached. The adjective "volitional" was formed in English from "volition," which came into the language through French in the sense "the faculty of choosing," and which traces back to Latin "volō," meaning "I wish" or "I am willing." The Latin root turns up in a whole family of English words, including "voluntary" and "benevolent," all built around the idea of wanting or choosing. The chain of suffixes is the interesting part. The Latin "-tiō" ending, which turns a verb into a noun of action or state, was carried into Medieval Latin and then French, producing "volition." English added "-al" to form the adjective, passing through Old French and Latin "-ālis," and then the Old English-derived "-ly," itself descended from a word meaning "body" or "form" (as in "likeness"), produced the adverb.

Synonyms: deliberately, intentionally, purposely, voluntarily, willingly

Antonyms: involuntarily, unintentionally, accidentally, unwillingly, compulsorily