What does involuntarily mean?
Involuntarily means without intention or conscious control. It is used for actions and reactions that occur independently of a person's wishes, often involving the body, such as flinching, shivering, blushing, or laughing. The adverb can also indicate that someone did something without consciously intending it, though it usually emphasizes the absence of deliberate control rather than simple carelessness. In medical and psychological contexts, it is especially common when describing movements or reactions that a person cannot consciously control, such as an involuntary tremor or twitch. Involuntarily is closely related to the adjective involuntary and contrasts with voluntarily, which means that an action is performed by choice. The word is useful when distinguishing an automatic or unintended response from one that is deliberate.
adverbWithout intention or conscious control; as a result of an involuntary action or response.
- Done without intention, consent, or conscious control.
"A sudden chill made her shiver involuntarily."
"He glanced toward the door involuntarily when he heard his name."
"The medication caused her hands to tremble involuntarily."
The prefix in- in involuntarily does not mean “in”; it negates voluntary, marking an action performed without choice.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does involuntarily come from?
Involuntarily was formed in English from the adjective involuntary, meaning “not willing” or “not intentional.” The adjective derives from Latin involuntarius, built from the negative prefix in- and voluntarius, “willing,” which ultimately comes from Latin voluntas, meaning “will” or “desire.” The same Latin root underlies related English words such as voluntary, volition, and volunteer.
Related word forms
How involuntarily is actually used
Neutral in register and common in medical, psychological, and everyday descriptions. It often describes bodily responses, involuntary movements, or actions that a person did not consciously intend.
Easily confused with involuntarily
Voluntarily describes an action performed by choice, whereas involuntarily describes an action occurring without conscious intention.