adj
spontaneous
spon-TAY-nee-uhs
adj
1
Happening or done without planning, on impulse.
"They decided on a spontaneous weekend trip to the coast."
"Her laugh was spontaneous, not forced."
2
Occurring naturally, without external cause or human intervention.
"The fire started from spontaneous combustion in the hay bales."
How to Use Spontaneous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnplanned, natural, done on the spur of the moment.
Common pairings
spontaneous decision
spontaneous combustion
spontaneous applause
Word Forms
more spontaneous comparative, most spontaneous superlative
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They decided on a _____ weekend trip to the coast.
Etymology
A learned borrowing from Late Latin spontaneus, "voluntary" — from sponte, "of one's own accord."