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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

   • Cached

   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

   • 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. 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.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   4 days ago · 1. adjective. Spontaneous acts are not planned or arranged, but are done because someone suddenly wants to do them. Their spontaneous outbursts of song were accompanied by lively music. I joined in the spontaneous applause. Synonyms: unplanned, impromptu, unprompted, willing More Synonyms of spontaneous.

7. www.dictionary.com › browse › spontaneousSPONTANEOUS Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › spontaneous

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   Spontaneous definition: coming or resulting from a natural impulse or tendency; without effort or premeditation; natural and unconstrained; unplanned. See examples of SPONTANEOUS used in a sentence.

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

   www.thefreedictionary.com › spontaneous

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   1. coming or resulting from a natural impulse or tendency; without effort or premeditation. 2. (of a person) given to acting upon sudden impulses. 3. (of natural phenomena) arising from internal forces or causes. 4. growing naturally or without cultivation, as plants and fruits; indigenous.