ad hoc

1 of 2

adverb

ˈad-ˈhäk  -ˈhōk 

ˈäd-ˈhōk

: for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application

The decisions were made ad hoc.

ad hoc

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: concerned with a particular end or purpose

an ad hoc investigating committee

b

: formed or used for specific or immediate problems or needs

ad hoc solutions

2

: fashioned from whatever is immediately available : improvised

large ad hoc parades and demonstrations

—Nat Hentoff

Did you know?

In Latin ad hoc literally means "for this," and in English it describes anything that can be thought of as existing "for this purpose only." For example, an ad hoc committee is generally authorized to look into a single matter of limited scope, not to pursue any issue of interest. Ad hoc can also be used as an adverb meaning "for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application," as in "decisions were made ad hoc."

Synonyms

Adjective

• ad-lib
• down and dirty
• extemporaneous
• extemporary
• extempore
• impromptu
• improvisational
• improvised
• off-the-cuff
• offhand
• offhanded
• snap
• spur-of-the-moment
• unconsidered
• unplanned
• unpremeditated
• unprepared
• unrehearsed
• unstudied

Examples of ad hoc in a Sentence

Adjective

The mayor appointed an ad hoc committee to study the project.

We had to make some ad hoc changes to the plans.

We'll hire more staff on an ad hoc basis.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Since relaunch earlier this month—only via Apple’s app store for now—more than 50 brands have been listed, so far from the app’s home town Berlin, and Lisbon, Paris, and Barcelona, though ad hoc products from other cities are also online. —Kevin Rozario, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Vice Mayor Belal Aftab and council member Chuck Page, co-chairs of the city’s ad hoc committee on economic vitality, gathered Saratoga residents and business and property owners to brainstorm recommendations to eventually bring back to the city council. —Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2024

Adjective

The Sardines, an ad hoc band led by music director Kurt Cowling on keyboards and featuring singer Leah Gawel, play music originally performed and mostly composed by '90s lounge revivalists Combustible Edison. —Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2023

Ukraine has also called for the creation of a special United Nations tribunal, akin to ad hoc bodies set up to address war crimes in the former Yugoslavia and elsewhere. —Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

borrowed from Latin, "for this"

Adjective

derivative of ad hoc entry 1

First Known Use

Adverb

1639, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Legal Definition

ad hoc

1 of 2 adverb

ˈad-ˈhäk, -ˈhōk; ˈäd-ˈhōk 

: for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application

ad hoc

2 of 2 adjective

1

: concerned with a particular end or purpose

an ad hoc investigating committee

2

: formed or used for specific or immediate problems or needs

ad hoc solutions

Etymology

Adverb

Latin, for this