ad-libbed; ad-libbing
: to deliver spontaneously
: to improvise especially lines or a speech
ad-lib
noun
: spoken, composed, or performed without preparation
1
: in accordance with one's wishes
2
: without restraint or limit
Synonyms
Verb
Adjective
Examples of ad-lib in a Sentence
Verb
had to ad-lib constructing a piñata because she'd never actually seen it being done
Adjective
not bad for an ad-lib comedy routine
Recent Examples on the Web
Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Oct. 2024
McCall’s ad-lib joke about beetles (as in the insect) got them the biggest laugh.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2024
Devan Coggan, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2023
At the same time, more ad-lib moments are often expected onstage, bound to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
—Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Mar. 2023
Noah Rothman, National Review, 11 Mar. 2024
But even when the speech texts make allowances for Biden’s limitations and his suppressed stutter, the president can still spoil everything with an undisciplined ad lib.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 19 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for ad-lib 
Verb
But little did Pearson know, Key would one-up these references with an ad-lib.
—Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Oct. 2024
McCall’s ad-lib joke about beetles (as in the insect) got them the biggest laugh.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2024
Adjective
He's given me a lot of leeway and a lot of leash to go improv and ad-lib and create the character, which is always really fun.
—Devan Coggan, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2023
At the same time, more ad-lib moments are often expected onstage, bound to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
—Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Mar. 2023
Adverb
Rich delved into the president’s self-abasing effort to walk back the strongest moment of his State of the Union address — an ad lib ...
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 11 Mar. 2024
But even when the speech texts make allowances for Biden’s limitations and his suppressed stutter, the president can still spoil everything with an undisciplined ad lib.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 19 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for ad-lib
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ad-lib.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ad-lib
Cite this Entry
“Ad-lib.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ad-lib. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
ad-lib
1 of 2 adjective
: made or done spontaneously : not controlled by a schedule
ad-lib feeding of animals
ad lib
2 of 2 adverb
: without restraint or imposed limit : as much or as often as is wanted
the animals were given water ad lib—Science
—often used in writing prescriptions
ScienceLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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