spontaneity

noun

spon·​ta·​ne·​i·​ty ˌspän-tə-ˈnē-ə-tē How to pronounce spontaneity (audio) -ˈnā- How to pronounce spontaneity (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being spontaneous
2
: voluntary or undetermined action or movement
also : its source

Examples of spontaneity in a Sentence

the spontaneity of their behavior the couple sacrificed some of the spontaneity in their lives when they both got nine-to-five jobs
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Potentially newsworthy footage that Johnson shot with the documentarian Laura Poitras in Yemen shares time with the simple spontaneity of a lightning strike caught on camera in Nodaway County, Mo. Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025 Some may prefer the spontaneity of a purely organic game. Brian Roberts, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 Plan an itinerary in advance but be sure to leave room for spontaneity. Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2025 Autonomy, for example, is a universal need represented by choice, dignity, freedom, independence, self-expression, space and spontaneity. Ellen Choi, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spontaneity

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin spontāneitāt-, spontāneitās, from Late Latin spontāneus "voluntary, unconstrained, spontaneous" + Latin -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spontaneity was in 1651

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Cite this Entry

“Spontaneity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spontaneity. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

spontaneity

noun
spon·​ta·​ne·​ity
ˌspänt-ən-ˈē-ət-ē,
ˌspänt-ᵊn-,
-ˈā-ət-
: the quality or state of being spontaneous

More from Merriam-Webster on spontaneity

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