ad lib

¹

[ad lib, ad]

noun

1. something improvised in speech, music, etc..

   Was that joke part of your speech or an ad lib?

adverb

1. at one's pleasure; without restriction.

2. freely; as needed; without stint.

   Water can be given to the patients ad lib.

ad lib.

²

abbreviation

1. ad libitum.

ad-lib

³

[ad-lib, ad-]

verb (used with object)

ad-libbed, ad-libbing 

1. to improvise all or part of (a speech, a piece of music, etc.).

   to ad-lib one's lines.

verb (used without object)

ad-libbed, ad-libbing 

1. to act, speak, etc., without preparation.

   Throughout the play he had to ad-lib constantly.

adjective

1. impromptu; extemporaneous.

   ad-lib remarks to hecklers.

ad-lib

/ ædˈlɪb /

verb

1. to improvise and deliver without preparation (a speech, musical performance, etc)

adjective

1. improvised; impromptu

adverb

1. without restraint; freely

2. music short for ad libitum

noun

1. an improvised performance, often humorous

Other Word Forms

• ad-libber noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ad lib¹

First recorded in 1810–20; ad libitum

Origin of ad lib²

1915–20, v. use of ad lib

Word History and Origins

Origin of ad lib¹

C18: short for Latin ad libitum, literally: according to pleasure