spontaneously

Everyday

1. Spontaneously means doing something suddenly, without planning it first, because you feel like it, as in «the crowd spontaneously started clapping». tree →
2. In science, something happens spontaneously when it happens by itself, without anything from outside causing it at that moment. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and stories, doing something spontaneously, like a surprise picnic, shows fun and freedom. In science lessons, some chemical reactions or changes happen spontaneously. In ethics lessons, a spontaneous act of kindness is one nobody asked for. Phrases: «spontaneously burst into», «act spontaneously».

Examples

• The whole class spontaneously burst into song. tree →
• We spontaneously decided to go to the beach. tree →
• The fans stood up and cheered spontaneously. tree →
• Haystacks can sometimes catch fire spontaneously when they are damp and warm. tree →
• She spontaneously hugged the new girl. tree →
• The kittens spontaneously started chasing each other. tree →
• When once the conscience is awakened, it springs up in the heart spontaneously, and God awakens the conscience when we least expect it. tree →

Note

Adverb from «spontaneous» + «-ly». Spelling: s-p-o-n-t-a-n-e-o-u-s-l-y. Noun: spontaneity. Myth trap: humans cannot «spontaneously combust» (burst into flames by themselves); that is a myth.