spontaneously
gb/spɑntˈeɪniəsli/ us/spɑntˈeɪniəsli/
B2
English
spontán, magától
B2
1
spontán
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] [does something] spontaneously
We spontaneously decided to take a weekend trip to the coast.
Spontán úgy döntöttünk, hogy hétvégére elutazunk a tengerpartra.
When the singer walked on stage, the crowd spontaneously started cheering.
Amikor az énekes színpadra lépett, a tömeg spontán éljenezni kezdett.
She spontaneously offered to help me carry the boxes.
Learner examples
I spontaneously bought tickets for the concert.
Spontán vettem koncertjegyeket.
He spontaneously laughed at the joke.
A viccen spontán felnevetett.
Common mistake:
Often confused with simultaneously (“at the same time”) or instantaneously (“immediately”).
Meaning
without planning or prompting
Collocations
spontaneously decide
|spontaneously agree
|spontaneously offer
|spontaneously volunteer
|spontaneously laugh
|spontaneously smile
|spontaneously clap
|spontaneously kiss
|spontaneously invite
|spontaneously start talking
Synonyms
impulsively (Emphasizes acting on impulse, sometimes without thinking.)
|
unprompted (Highlights that no one encouraged or asked for it.)
|
on the spur of the moment (More idiomatic; stresses sudden decision-making.)
|
naturally (Suggests it felt genuine, not forced.)
Antonyms
deliberately (Done intentionally and with thought or planning.)
|
planned (Arranged in advance.)
|
reluctantly (Done with hesitation rather than freely.)
Themes
daily_life
|communication
|emotions
Definition
without planning it first
In a way that happens suddenly and naturally, without being planned, prepared, or prompted by someone else.
C1
TECHNICAL
2
Usage pattern:
[something] happens spontaneously
Some cancers can develop spontaneously, without a clear environmental trigger.
Egyes daganatos betegségek spontán is kialakulhatnak, egyértelmű környezeti kiváltó ok nélkül.
The rash cleared up spontaneously after a few days.
A kiütés néhány nap után magától elmúlt.
In chemistry, a reaction may proceed spontaneously if conditions are favorable.
Learner examples
The problem went away spontaneously.
A probléma magától megszűnt.
The fire started spontaneously.
A tűz magától lobbant fel.
Common mistake:
In technical contexts, it does not necessarily mean “fast”; it means “without an external trigger.”
Meaning
by itself, without outside cause
Collocations
occur spontaneously
|arise spontaneously
|develop spontaneously
|resolve spontaneously
|heal spontaneously
|mutate spontaneously
|spontaneously combust
|spontaneously ignite
|spontaneously generate
|spontaneously form
Synonyms
automatically (Often implies a mechanism or system; not always “without a cause.”)
|
by itself (Plain, informal way to express the same idea.)
|
naturally (Can imply it happens without intervention, especially in biology/medicine.)
Antonyms
induced (Brought about by an outside cause or treatment.)
|
triggered (Started by a specific event or action.)
|
artificially (Caused by human action rather than occurring on its own.)
Themes
science
|health
|technology
Definition
happening by itself, without help
In a way that happens on its own, without being caused or started by an outside force or intervention.
Grammar
Dictionary form
spontaneously
IPA
GB/spɑntˈeɪniəsli/
US/spɑntˈeɪniəsli/
Syllables & stress
spon - tan - eously (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tan)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: spontaneously
- Plural: spontaneouslies
Expressions
spontaneously arise
1/spɑntˈeɪniəsli ɚˈaɪz/
fixed phrase
formal
appear without planning or cause
to appear by itself
Examples
- Conflicts rarely resolve spontaneously; they usually need effort.
- New ideas can spontaneously arise during a conversation.
- A problem may spontaneously arise when the system is under stress.
Learner examples
- New problems can spontaneously arise.
- Ideas can spontaneously arise.
spontaneously break into applause
1/spɑntˈeɪniəsli bɹˈeɪk ˈɪntu əplˈɔz/
fixed phrase
suddenly start clapping
to start clapping suddenly
Examples
- The audience spontaneously broke into applause at the end of the speech.
- When she finished the last note, the hall spontaneously broke into applause.
- The room spontaneously broke into applause as he accepted the award.
Learner examples
- The audience spontaneously broke into applause.
- People spontaneously broke into applause.
spontaneously combust
1/spɑntˈeɪniəsli kəmbˈʌst/
fixed phrase
technical
catch fire by itself
to start burning by itself
Examples
- The oil-soaked rags can spontaneously combust if they’re left in a pile.
- In the movie, the villain claims the device will spontaneously combust.
- The report found no evidence that the materials could spontaneously combust under normal conditions.
Learner examples
- Old chemicals can spontaneously combust.
- The rags might spontaneously combust.