English vocabulary · C1
Volition
/voʊˈlɪʃən/ · n.
It means the power to choose by your own will.
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Example sentences
- She left by her own volition.
- His volition kept him on the hard road.
Word origin and roots
- voli — wish / will (from Latin)
- tion — action (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- choice (freely deciding between options)
- will (acting from personal determination)
- intention (acting with a deliberate purpose in mind)
Words with the same root
velle — to wish
- voluntary — done by your own will — freely chosen
- volunteer — a person who acts by their own free will — not paid or forced
- benevolent — wishing well to others — having goodwill and kindness
Lesson notes
Volition. It means the power to choose by your own will. You act because the choice is yours, not because someone forced you.
Similar words are choice, will, and intention. Use volition when someone freely chooses.
She left by her own volition. His volition kept him on the hard road.
Voli means wish or will. The shun ending means action. Volition is your own will choosing action.