Spontaneous describes something that happens naturally and suddenly, without planning or outside control. It can refer to actions, reactions, or events that just ‘happen’ on their own.
From Late Latin “spontaneus” meaning “voluntary, of one’s free will.” It comes from a root related to the idea of acting on one’s own impulse.
When people call you spontaneous, they usually mean you’re the type who says “yes” to last-minute adventures. In science, though, a ‘spontaneous reaction’ doesn’t mean random—it means it can happen without extra energy being added.
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