improvisation

noun

im·​pro·​vi·​sa·​tion (ˌ)im-ˌprä-və-ˈzā-shən 

ˌim-prə-və-,

 also  ˌim-prə-(ˌ)vī-

1

: the act or art of improvising

2

: something (such as a musical or dramatic composition) improvised

improvisational

(ˌ)im-ˌprä-və-ˈzā-sh(ə-)nəl 

ˌim-prə-və-

 also  ˌim-prə-(ˌ)vī-

adjective

improvisationally adverb

Synonyms

• ad-lib
• extemporization
• impromptu
• improv

Examples of improvisation in a Sentence

that comedy skit was a totally unrehearsed improvisation

Recent Examples on the Web

Ladbroke's, in London…The Committee, a smart little group who do a revue of often funny, frozen improvisations, smashing head-on into politics…The wily, eighteenth-century satirist. —Vogue, 2 Feb. 2025

What was promised as a more disciplined Trump 2.0 has actually emerged as a completely predictable pile of improvisations. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 29 Jan. 2025

By basing your entire professional career on the concept of improvisation. —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025

Over the next few days, the Zaida’s crew fended off desperation with improvisation. —David Wolman, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

improvisation

noun

im·​pro·​vi·​sa·​tion (ˌ)im-ˌpräv-ə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌim-prə-və-

1

: the act or art of improvising

2

: something that is improvised

improvisational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective