French word

spontanément

Pronunciation

IPA/spɔ̃tanemɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbspontaneously

Example

Elle a spontanément offert son aide.

She spontaneously offered her help.

Illustration for spontanément (spontaneously)

More examples

Les spectateurs ont spontanément applaudi.

The spectators spontaneously applauded.

Core concept

An action rising from a person's own choice, with no outside push or advance plan.

Common phrases

  • offrir spontanément son aide

    spontaneously offer help

  • exprimer spontanément

    express oneself spontaneously

  • sourire spontanément

    smile spontaneously

Similar words

naturellement: Taking place naturally according to the situation or the nature of things.
instinctivement: Responding or acting by instinct rather than careful thought.
involontairement: Occurring unintentionally, contrary to the person's conscious intention.
volontairement: Carried out intentionally through personal will or prior planning.

Definition in French

Agir de son propre gré, sans y être poussé et sans préparation préalable.

Word origin

French spontanément comes from Latin sponte, 'of one's own accord', through spontané with the adverb ending -ment.

Usage tips

  • Spontanément often means 'without prompting' rather than merely 'naturally' or 'by accident'.

Other meanings

  • naturallyadverb
  • instinctivelyadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • spontanéspontaneousadjective
  • spontanéitéspontaneitynoun

Word lists with this word