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Definition of spontaneous

spontaneous

/spɒnˈteɪ.ni.əs/
spon · ta · ne · ous
Adverb:spontaneously
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spontaneous Lexical Profile

spontaneous Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Performed or occurring as a result of a sudden inner impulse or inclination and without premeditation or external stimulus.

Example

"The audience broke into spontaneous applause at the end of the soloist's performance."

2

Open, natural, and uninhibited in manner or disposition (of a person).

Example

"She is a cheerful, spontaneous traveler who rarely books her accommodations in advance."

3

Occurring without apparent external cause or human intervention through internal chemical, physical, or biological processes.

Example

"Damp hay stored without proper ventilation can generate enough internal heat to cause spontaneous ignition."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for spontaneous

• Nearby Words

sponsor
sponsorship
spontaneity
spontaneous
spontaneously
spontaneousness
spoof

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-17th century from Late Latin spontaneus, meaning 'occurring of one's own free will,' derived from the classical Latin noun spons ('free will'), most commonly used in the ablative phrase sua sponte ('of one's own accord').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Spontaneous. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/spontaneous
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