What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
idiopathic
Example
The doctors were unable to determine the cause of his idiopathic seizures. [idiopathic: adjective]
Example
Idiopathic diseases are often difficult to diagnose and treat. [idiopathic: noun]
spontaneous
Example
She made a spontaneous decision to take a trip to the beach. [spontaneous: adjective]
Example
The crowd broke into spontaneous applause at the end of the performance. [spontaneous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spontaneous is a more commonly used word in everyday language than idiopathic. Idiopathic is a technical term primarily used in medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between idiopathic and spontaneous?
Idiopathic has a more formal and technical connotation due to its usage in medical contexts, while spontaneous has a more casual and informal connotation.
