Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   Spon·ta·ne·ous

   /spänˈtānēəs/

   

   adjective

   • 1. performed or occurring as a result of a sudden inner impulse or inclination and without premeditation or external stimulus: "the audience broke into spontaneous applause" Similar unforcedvoluntaryunconstrainedunpromptedunbiddenunsolicitedunplannedunpremeditatedunrehearsedimpulsiveimpetuousunstudiedimpromptuspur-of-the-momentextemporeextemporaneousunschooleduntaughtuninstructedinformal:off-the-cuffOpposite plannedforcedcalculated
   • ▪ (of a person) having an open, natural, and uninhibited manner. Similar naturaluninhibitedrelaxedunselfconsciousunaffectedeasyfree and easyimpulsiveimpetuousopengenuineOpposite inhibited
   • ▪ (of a process or event) occurring without apparent external cause: "spontaneous miscarriages"
   • ▪ (of movement or activity in an organism) instinctive or involuntary: "the spontaneous mechanical activity of circular smooth muscle" Similar reflexautomaticknee-jerkinvoluntaryunthinkingunconsciousinstinctiveinstinctualinformal:gutOpposite conscious
   • ▪ (of a plant) growing naturally and without being tended or cultivated.

   Word Origin mid 17th century: from late Latin spontaneus (from (sua) sponte ‘of (one's) own accord’) + -ous.

   Derivatives

   • 1. spontaneousness noun

   Scrabble Points: 13

   • S

     1

   • P

     3

   • O

     1

   • N

     1

   • T

     1

   • A

     1

   • N

     1

   • E

     1

   • O

     1

   • U

     1

   • S

     1

   Powered by Oxford Languages

   More Definitions, Word Origin & ScrabbleShow less

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionarySPONTANEOUS | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   happening or done in a natural, often sudden way, without any planning or without being forced: His jokes seemed spontaneous, but were in fact carefully prepared beforehand. approving She's such a spontaneous, lively woman. Fewer examples. I am certain both these statements were spontaneous and genuine. The audience broke into spontaneous applause.

3. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › spontaneousSpontaneous - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › spontaneous

   Something spontaneous happens when you're least expecting it. Spontaneous things are natural or instinctive, and they happen without warning. If you plan to go to a movie and then you go, that's not a spontaneous thing. Ditching the movie at the last minute to go to the park? That's spontaneous.

4. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitionspontaneous adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

   • Cached

   done naturally, without being forced, practised or organized in advance. Definition of spontaneous adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

5. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishSPONTANEOUS definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   3 days ago · coming or resulting from a natural impulse or tendency; without effort or premeditation; natural and unconstrained; unplanned. a spontaneous burst of applause. 2. (of a person) given to acting upon sudden impulses.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionarySPONTANEOUS definition | Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   happening naturally and suddenly and without being planned: a spontaneous reaction. The crowd broke into spontaneous applause. spontaneity. noun [ U ] uk / ˌspɒntəˈneɪəti / us. the quality of being spontaneous: The performance was boring and lacked spontaneity. spontaneously. adverb.

7. www.yourdictionary.com › spontaneousSpontaneous Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

   www.yourdictionary.com › spontaneous

   • Cached

   adjective. Having no apparent external cause or influence; occurring or produced by its own energy, force, etc. or through internal causes; self-acting. Webster's New World. Similar definitions. Acting in accordance with or resulting from a natural feeling, impulse, or tendency, without any constraint, effort, or premeditation. Webster's New World.

8. www.thefreedictionary.com › spontaneousSpontaneous - definition of spontaneous by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › spontaneous

   • Cached

   adj. 1. Happening or arising without apparent external cause; self-generated: a microorganism capable of spontaneous movement. 2. Arising from a natural inclination or impulse and not from forethought or prompting: spontaneous laughter; a spontaneous protest. 3. Unconstrained and unstudied in manner or behavior: a spontaneous personality. 4.