extemporaneous

American  

[ik-stem-puh-rey-nee-uhs] / ɪkˌstɛm pəˈreɪ ni əs /

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.

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extemporaneous British  

/ ɪkˌstɛmpəˈreɪnɪəs, ɪkˈstɛmpərərɪ, -prərɪ /

adjective

1. spoken, performed, etc, without planning or preparation; impromptu; extempore

2. done in a temporary manner; improvised

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Synonym Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• extemporaneously
  adverb
• extemporaneousness
  noun
• extemporaneity
  noun

Etymology

Origin of extemporaneous

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

Explanation

Extemporaneous means spoken without preparation. The orator's performance was impressive, but we did not realize the depth of his talent until we learned that his speech was extemporaneous. Some politicians are so skilled that even their prepared remarks have an extemporaneous quality. As opposed to policy debates where teams know the resolution in advance, extemporaneous debates are judged on style and nimble argumentation, as the participants receive the resolution minutes before debating begins. Extemporaneous comes from the Latin phrase ex tempore, literally meaning "out of time." The words in this family (extemporary, extemporaneously, extemporize, etc.) almost always refer to speaking or composing something on the spot — without time or enough preparation.

Example Sentences

I would think that the magic of spontaneity and extemporaneous invention is something that the current bathing businesses hope for.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2025

There were times when his unplanned, extemporaneous delivery would cause frustration.

From Salon • Feb. 29, 2024

Although he set the text aside, his deviation was not extemporaneous in the truest since of the word.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 22, 2023

By any definition, a revival is characterized by spontaneous long-lasting episodes of collective worship: extemporaneous prayer, stirring music and rousing preaching.

From New York Times • Feb. 23, 2023

Soon after that, Minister Lemuel Hassan urged me to address the brothers and sisters with an extemporaneous lecture.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey