extemporaneous

[ ik-stem-puh-rey-nee-uhs ]

adjective

1. done, spoken, performed, etc., without special advance preparation; impromptu:

   an extemporaneous speech.

2. previously planned but delivered with the help of few or no notes:

   extemporaneous lectures.

3. speaking or performing with little or no advance preparation:

   extemporaneous actors.

4. made for the occasion, as a shelter.

extemporaneous

/ ɪkˌstɛmpəˈreɪnɪəs; ɪkˈstɛmpərərɪ; -prərɪ /

adjective

1. spoken, performed, etc, without planning or preparation; impromptu; extempore
2. done in a temporary manner; improvised

Derived Forms

• exˌtempoˈraneously, adverb
• exˌtempoˈraneousness, noun

Other Words From

• ex·tem·po·ra·ne·ous·ly adverb
• ex·tem·po·ra·ne·ous·ness ex·tem·po·ra·ne·i·ty [ik-stem-p, uh, -r, uh, -, nee, -i-tee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of extemporaneous¹

First recorded in 1650–60, from Late Latin extemporāneus “on the spur of the moment”; extempore, -an, -eous

Synonym Study

Extemporaneous, extempore, impromptu, improvised are used of expression given without preparation or only partial preparation. Extemporaneous and impromptu may both refer to speeches given without any preparation: an extemporaneous (impromptu) speech. Extemporaneous may also refer to a speech given from notes or an outline: extemporaneous lectures. Although extempore is an adjective with the very same meaning as extemporaneous, this word is most often used in its adverbial senses: She spoke extempore, and had the audience's rapt attention. Impromptu also refers to poems, songs, etc., delivered without preparation and at a moment's notice. Improvised is applied to something composed (recited, sung, acted), at least in part, as one goes along: an improvised piano accompaniment.

Example Sentences

But extemporaneous speech is not his strongest suit; Kanye expresses himself much better creatively than he does in conversation.

From The Daily Beast

He is a very bright man and that came through loud and clear in his 45-minute nearly extemporaneous talk.

From The Daily Beast

He must possess native talent, a clear insight of human character, agreeable address, extemporaneous powers of speech.

From Project Gutenberg

Inn-yards, houses without roofs, and extemporaneous enclosures at country fairs were the ready theatres of strolling players.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no such thing as extemporaneous acquisition, as Webster himself said of his speech.

From Project Gutenberg

Thomas orchestra (which happened to be aboard) give them an extemporaneous concert.

From Project Gutenberg

The advantages of extemporaneous speaking are doubtless many.

From Project Gutenberg