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spontaneous
/spɒnˈteɪ.ni.əs/
done without planning or preparation
She made a spontaneous decision to travel abroad last weekend.
She decided to go abroad without planning it in advance.
general
Happening or done without premeditation or external influence; natural and unplanned.
His spontaneous laughter brightened the room.
His unplanned laughter made the room feel happier.
The conversation took a spontaneous turn when someone mentioned an old memory.
The discussion changed direction unexpectedly when someone brought up a memory.
Often used to describe actions, decisions, or reactions that are impulsive or natural.
Collocations
spontaneous decisiona choice made without planningspontaneous reactionan immediate, unplanned responsespontaneous eventan unplanned occurrence
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
Often used for actions that are fun or creative, but can also describe reckless behavior.
Gold Rule
Positive vs. Negative Connotations
Use 'spontaneous' for positive actions (e.g., 'spontaneous trip') but avoid for negative ones (e.g., 'spontaneous outburst' may sound harsh).
Word Origin
From Latin 'spontaneus', meaning 'of one's own accord', from 'sponte' (of one's own will).
Usage Notes
Can describe both positive (fun, creative) and negative (reckless, impulsive) actions.
Word Breakdown
spont-
of one's own will
root-aneous
relating to
suffixEnglish Dictionary