improvise

[ im-pruh-vahyz ]
See synonyms for: improviseimprovisedimprovising on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),im·pro·vised, im·pro·vis·ing.
  1. to compose and perform or deliver without previous preparation; extemporize: to improvise an acceptance speech.

  2. to compose, play, recite, or sing (verse, music, etc.) on the spur of the moment.

  1. to make, provide, or arrange from whatever materials are readily available: We improvised a dinner from yesterday's leftovers.

verb (used without object),im·pro·vised, im·pro·vis·ing.
  1. to compose, utter, execute, or arrange anything extemporaneously: When the actor forgot his lines he had to improvise.

Origin of improvise

1
First recorded in 1820–30; from French improviser, or its source, Italian improvisare (later improvvisare ), verbal derivative of improviso “improvised,” from Latin imprōvīsus, equivalent to im- “un-” + prōvīsus, past participle of prōvidēre “to see beforehand, prepare, provide for (a future circumstance)”; see im-2, proviso

Other words from improvise

  • im·pro·vis·er, im·pro·vi·sor, noun

Words Nearby improvise

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use improvise in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for improvise

improvise

/ (ˈɪmprəˌvaɪz) /


verb
  1. to perform or make quickly from materials and sources available, without previous planning

  2. to perform (a poem, play, piece of music, etc), composing as one goes along

Origin of improvise

1
C19: from French, from Italian improvvisare, from Latin imprōvīsus unforeseen, from im- (not) + prōvīsus, from prōvidēre to foresee; see provide

Derived forms of improvise

  • improviser, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012