frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

spontaneous
adj. 1 unannounced, unpremeditated, unplanned, impromptu,
extemporaneous, extempore, unprepared, unrehearsed, offhand, ad
lib, spur-of-the-moment, Colloq off the cuff: Miss Malkin's
spontaneous speech could not have been better had it been
written out. 2 natural, unforced, unbidden, instinctive,
instinctual, unconscious, reflex, automatic, mechanical,
immediate, offhand, unguarded, unthinking, unwitting,
involuntary, impetuous, impulsive, Slang knee-jerk: How could
you doubt the sincerity of such an outburst of spontaneous
affection? My spontaneous reaction is to beg you not to take up
sky-diving.
sporadic adj. occasional, intermittent, random, irregular, uneven,
erratic, chance, unexpected; spasmodic(al), fitful,
periodic(al): There has been sporadic unrest in that area of
the city.
sport n. 1 recreation, diversion, pastime, amusement, entertainment,
play, distraction, relaxation, divertissement, pleasure,
enjoyment, fun: I fish for sport, not to earn a living. 2
jest, humour, fun, mockery: They often call him rude names, but
only in sport. 3 make sport of. tease, deride, make a
laughing-stock (of), (hold up to) ridicule, make a fool of: She
doesn't like it when you make sport of her husband.
--v. 4 frolic, gambol, cavort, romp, caper, play, frisk, lark,
rollick, skip about: These octogenarians are sporting about
like young foals. 5 show off, exhibit, flaunt, display, wear:
Keith arrived, sporting the latest in Italian footwear.
sportive adj. frisky, gambolling, cavorting, frolicking, romping,
capering, rollicking, sprightly, coltish, spirited, frolicsome,
buoyant, gamesome, gay, kittenish, merry, playful, gleeful,
light-hearted, blithe, prankish, waggish: He watched a sportive
group of children playing hide-and-seek.
sportsmanship
n. fair play, sportsmanliness, fairness, honourableness,
honesty, honour, probity, scrupulousness, integrity,
uprightness, justice, justness: Good sportsmanship requires
that the loser congratulate the winner.