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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

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   Add to word list. 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. More examples.

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

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   Check pronunciation: spontaneous. Definition of spontaneous adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

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

   www.thefreedictionary.com › spontaneous

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   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.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   Apr 26, 2024 · 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.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   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.

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

   www.yourdictionary.com › spontaneous

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