How to Pronounce Spontaneous

To pronounce "spontaneous", say SPONT-an-eous — 3 syllables, IPA /spɑnˈteɪniəs/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

spontaneous

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Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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Syllables

Letters

/spɑnˈteɪniəs/

🇺🇸 IPA (US)

/spɒntˈeɪniəs/

🇬🇧 IPA (UK)

💡 Tip for remembering “spontaneous”

"spontaneous" has 3 syllables: spont-an-eous. It rhymes with extraneous and simultaneous, if that helps it stick.

What does spontaneous mean?

adjective

Self-generated; happening without any apparent external cause.
“He made a spontaneous offer of help.”
Done by one's own free choice, or without planning.

Synonyms

autonomous abrupt precipitous subitaneous

Hear “spontaneous” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with spontaneous

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

extraneous simultaneous contemporaneous miscellaneous sanious percutaneous lanius

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "spontaneous"?▾

"Spontaneous" has 3 syllables: spont · an · eous.

What is the IPA transcription of "spontaneous"?▾

The IPA transcription of "spontaneous" is /spɑnˈteɪniəs/.

What does "spontaneous" mean?▾

Spontaneous: Self-generated; happening without any apparent external cause.

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