Spontaneous

/spɒnˈteɪ.ni.əs/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

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

The crowd broke into spontaneous applause after the performance.

Happening or arising without apparent external cause; involuntary.

Her laughter was spontaneous and infectious, lighting up the room.

Developing or occurring naturally and inherently.

The spontaneous growth of grass in the abandoned lot surprised the neighbors.

Characterized by a natural and uninhibited quality.

Their spontaneous road trip was the highlight of their summer vacation.

From Latin 'spontaneus' meaning 'of one's own accord'.

spontaneous combustion

The occurrence of fire without apparent external ignition.

spontaneous reaction

A reaction that occurs without the addition of energy.

spontaneity

The quality of being spontaneous.

spontaneously

In a spontaneous manner.

Off-the-cuff

He gave an off-the-cuff speech that impressed everyone.

Wing it

I didn't plan my presentation; I just decided to wing it.