spontaneity

noun

spon·​ta·​ne·​i·​ty ˌspän-tə-ˈnē-ə-tē  -ˈnā- 

1

: the quality or state of being spontaneous

2

: voluntary or undetermined action or movement

also : its source

Synonyms

• abandon
• naturalness
• abandonment
• enthusiasm

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

And while spontaneity is expected, Chelmis notes that randomness should not be mistaken for chaos: A typical meal always starts with something salty and sour, for example, smoked mackerel and pickled vegetables—umami bombs to slow down the eating while exciting one’s thirst. —Derek Sandhaus, Saveur, 10 July 2025

Ownership fostered spontaneity—watching a movie of my choice even when video stores were closed—and also frequency: rewatching at no extra charge, whenever, to my heart’s content. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 June 2025

Even when the mock-gaming generated an oldie that Halsey had never sung live before, it was sung impeccably, without visible aid from prompters — proving, once again, that nothing goes further in allowing spontaneity to flourish than oodles of preparation. —Chris Willman, Variety, 9 July 2025

Surely, Spielberg’s belief in chaos is only philosophical: Nothing like spontaneity is going to interrupt this large system’s march to a half-billion-dollar worldwide gross. —David Denby, Vulture, 3 July 2025

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

Rhymes for spontaneity

• contemporaneity
• heterogeneity
• inhomogeneity
• deity
• homogeneity
• simultaneity

Kids Definition

spontaneity

noun

spon·​ta·​ne·​ity

ˌspänt-ən-ˈē-ət-ē,

ˌspänt-ᵊn-,

-ˈā-ət-

: the quality or state of being spontaneous