improvise

verb

im·​pro·​vise ˈim-prə-ˌvīz 

 also  ˌim-prə-ˈvīz

improvised; improvising

transitive verb

1

: to compose, recite, play, or sing extemporaneously

2

: to make, invent, or arrange offhand

the quarterback improvised a play

3

: to make or fabricate out of what is conveniently on hand

improvise a meal

intransitive verb

: to improvise something

improviser noun

or improvisor

ˈim-prə-ˌvī-zər 

ˌim-prə-ˈvī-

Synonyms

• ad-lib
• clap (together or up)
• extemporize
• fake

Examples of improvise in a Sentence

If you forget any of your lines, try to improvise.

Good jazz musicians know how to improvise.

He had to improvise his opening speech when he forgot his notes.

The trumpet player performed an improvised solo.

I wasn't expecting guests, so I had to improvise a meal with what I had in my refrigerator.

Recent Examples on the Web

Many look-alikes will simply turn up and look like their doppelgänger, but Oliver embodies Brent for hours and hours, quoting beloved routines from The Office and improvising in character himself. —Ralph Jones, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024

Sometimes, the pianist is front and center, improvising with energy and creativity, while the drummer and bassist lay back, providing the foundation. —Brian Bartes, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Morrissey’s films, in contrast, contained more character and narrative (not to mention camera movement), though his films were still out there — with the dialogue often improvised and the stories strange and discursive. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2024

An undisclosed number of people were forced to sleep in airports or improvise road trips with strangers to salvage their holidays. —Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French improviser, from Italian improvvisare, from improvviso sudden, from Latin improvisus, literally, unforeseen, from in- + provisus, past participle of providēre to see ahead — more at provide

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

improvise

verb

im·​pro·​vise ˌim-prə-ˈvīz 

ˈim-prə-ˌvīz

improvised; improvising

1

: to compose, recite, play, or sing without preparation

2

: to make, invent, or arrange on the spur of the moment or without planning

the quarterback improvised a play

3

: to make out of what is conveniently on hand

improvise a bed from leaves and straw

improviser noun

or improvisor

-ˈvī-zər,

-ˌvī-