Spontaneous — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /spän-ˈtā-nē-əs/ spon·ta·ne·ous

Meaning & Definition of Spontaneous

Spontaneous (adjective)

  1. proceeding from natural feeling or native tendency without external constraint
  2. arising from a momentary impulse
  3. controlled and directed internally, self-acting

Spontaneous (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. done instantly and without conscious thought or decision

    "recoiling when a wasp is near is simply a spontaneous reaction"

    similar: automatic, instinctive, instinctual, involuntary, knee-jerk, mechanic, mechanical, robotic
    related: conditioned, natural, Pavlovian, reactive, reflex, simple, subliminal, unconscious, unforced, visceral, blind, inadvertent, unintended, unintentional, unwilling, unwitting, abrupt, quick, ready, sudden, ad-lib, extemporaneous, extempore, impromptu, improvised, offhand, offhanded, off-the-cuff, snap, spur-of-the-moment, unconsidered, unplanned, unpremeditated, unprepared, unprompted, unreasoned, unrehearsed, unstudied, casual, chance, chancy, haphazard, hasty, hit-or-miss, impetuous, impulsive, mindless, random, rash
    near: calculated, conscious, cultivated, deliberate, designed, intended, intentional, predetermined, prepared, projected, refined, rehearsed, volitional, voluntary, willed, willful, advised, aforethought, careful, considered, foresighted, forethoughtful, measured, meticulous, reasoned, studied, thoughtful

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Spontaneous

The most common words with a similar meaning to Spontaneous:

automatic, instinctive, instinctual, involuntary, knee-jerk, mechanic, mechanical, robotic

Related Words for Spontaneous

conditioned, natural, Pavlovian, reactive, reflex, simple, subliminal, unconscious, unforced, visceral, blind, inadvertent, unintended, unintentional, unwilling, unwitting, abrupt, quick, ready, sudden, ad-lib, extemporaneous, extempore, impromptu, improvised, offhand, offhanded, off-the-cuff, snap, spur-of-the-moment

Near Antonyms of Spontaneous

calculated, conscious, cultivated, deliberate, designed, intended, intentional, predetermined, prepared, projected, refined, rehearsed, volitional, voluntary, willed, willful, advised, aforethought, careful, considered, foresighted, forethoughtful, measured, meticulous, reasoned, studied, thoughtful

Word Forms of Spontaneous

Derived words: spontaneously (adverb), spontaneousness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Spontaneous

borrowed from Late Latin spontāneus "voluntary, unconstrained" (from Latin sponte "of one's own accord, by one's own agency," ablative of *spons —of uncertain origin— + -āneus, suffix forming adjectives from temporal adverbs, from -ānus -an:2 + -eus -eous) + -ous

First known use: 1605

Words & Phrases Containing Spontaneous

spontaneous combustion, spontaneous generation, spontaneous recovery

Frequently Asked Questions about Spontaneous

What does "Spontaneous" mean?

"Spontaneous" means proceeding from natural feeling or native tendency without external constraint. As an adjective, it is defined as: proceeding from natural feeling or native tendency without external constraint.

What is another word for "Spontaneous"?

Other words for "Spontaneous" include automatic, instinctive, instinctual, involuntary, knee-jerk, mechanic, mechanical and robotic. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Spontaneous" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Spontaneous"?

There are 57 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Spontaneous". Common alternatives include automatic, instinctive, instinctual, involuntary, knee-jerk, mechanic, mechanical and robotic.

How do you use "Spontaneous" in a sentence?

Examples of "Spontaneous" in a sentence: "recoiling when a wasp is near is simply a spontaneous reaction".

Is "Spontaneous" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Spontaneous" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Spontaneous"?

"Spontaneous" is pronounced /spän-ˈtā-nē-əs/ and divided into syllables as spon·ta·ne·ous.

What is the origin of the word "Spontaneous"?

"Spontaneous" comes from borrowed from Late Latin spontāneus "voluntary, unconstrained" (from Latin sponte "of one's own accord, by one's own agency," ablative of *spons —of uncertain origin— + -āneus, suffix forming adjectives from temporal adverbs, from -ānus -an:2 + -eus -eous) + -ous. First known use: 1605.

What is another word for "Spontaneous" meaning "done instantly and without conscious thought or decision"?

When "Spontaneous" (adjective) means done instantly and without conscious thought or decision, synonyms include automatic, instinctive, instinctual, involuntary, knee-jerk and mechanic.