spur-of-the-moment

adjective

spur-of-the-mo·​ment ˈspər-ə(v)-ṯẖə-ˈmō-mənt How to pronounce spur-of-the-moment (audio)
: occurring or developing without premeditation : hastily extemporized
a spur-of-the-moment decision

Examples of spur-of-the-moment in a Sentence

a spur-of-the-moment trip to the zoo
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.
According to a patron who posted on social media, one of them fulfilled an unusual spur-of-the-moment request by designing a drink to match her attire and her mood. John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025 The usual version: two pioneering women lock eyes across a White House dinner table, feel an instant bond, and sneak off for a spur-of-the-moment night flight over Washington with dinner guests in tow. Laurie Gwen Shapiro, Air Mail, 30 Aug. 2025 Just a few days later, while awaiting the results, Reid fell into cardiac arrest while by himself at home during lunchtime, fortunately at the moment his wife Samantha was making a spur-of-the-moment drop-in during a break from work. Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2025 Some are great—like spur-of-the-moment trips to the beach and invites to a new friend’s backyard pool. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for spur-of-the-moment

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spur-of-the-moment was in 1948

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Cite this Entry

“Spur-of-the-moment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spur-of-the-moment. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

spur-of-the-moment

adjective
: made or done by the sudden making up of one's mind
a spur-of-the moment decision
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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