Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
spur-of-the-moment

spur-of-the-moment

6 5.8
Happening suddenly without planning, often as a quick decision
  • adjective
  • /spɜr əv ðə ˈmoʊmənt/
  • Informal
: improvisado
  • The birthday party was a spur-of-the-moment event that turned out to be a lot of fun.
  • spur-of-the-moment decision
  • spur-of-the-moment trip
  • spur-of-the-moment thing

But he was also, you know, there are very few when I start to think of the great leaders and I'm going to leave things out because this is spur of the moment.

Examples

  • She loves making spur-of-the-moment plans, especially when friends are involved.

  • Adding Sophia's name was a spur-of-the-moment decision.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • -It was a spur-of-the-moment decision.

    Parenthood (1989)

  • What was this, some kind of spur-of-the-moment decision?

    Fiction book (1998)

  • On the spur of the moment, he decided to join them.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • I know it was very spur-of-the-moment, but it was awesome meeting you!

    Blog text (2)

  • But I have envisioned it as a spur-of-the-moment urge.

    Blog text (9)

  • An inspirational teacher who is able to incorporate surprising, spur-of-the-moment ideas could be especially successful with Perceiving students.

    Academic text (2011)

  • In avoiding the method-book approach, the teachers have been successful in maintaining a high level of student interest and, in addition, always have music ready for a spur-of-the-moment performance.

    Academic text (1994)

  • Last weekend, we made a spur-of-the-moment decision to go on a road trip.

Synonyms

on the spot
vsspur-of-the-moment
131 2.8

Immediately at the exact place where something happens, often needing a quick response

focuses on sudden unplanned action often caused by an unexpected situation rather than location
impulsive
vsspur-of-the-moment
74 4.4

Acting suddenly without careful thought because of a strong feeling

often follows an unexpected situation instead of arising from emotion
impromptu
vsspur-of-the-moment
37 6.3

Done or said without preparation

is often a sudden response to an unexpected situation
spur of the moment
vsspur-of-the-moment
  • Informal
22 5.5

A sudden decision made without thinking

is often triggered by an unexpected situation rather than an inner urge
off the cuff
vsspur-of-the-moment
  • Informal
19 6.3

Said or done without planning first

is typically used for sudden actions triggered by unexpected events
offhand
vsspur-of-the-moment
12 6.3

Said or done immediately without careful thought

is more often a sudden act responding to an unexpected situation
off-the-cuff
vsspur-of-the-moment
7 7.2

Said or done without planning beforehand

is often a sudden reaction to an unexpected situation
on the spur of the moment
vsspur-of-the-moment
6 4.4

To act suddenly without planning or thinking

often follows an unexpected situation as the trigger

Antonyms

planned
503 1.0

Arranged before it happens on purpose

deliberate
137 4.1

Done on purpose after careful thought

How Impulsive

reckless
221 3.6
spur-of-the-moment
  • Informal
6 5.8
spontaneous
169 4.2
deliberate
137 4.1
planned
503 1.0

Surface Forms

spur-of-the-moment positive

Etymology

The phrase spur-of-the-moment comes from spur, the sharp tool on a rider's boot used to make a horse move quickly, and moment, meaning 'a short time'. So a spur-of-the-moment action is one done very suddenly and without planning.