impromptu

American  

[im-promp-too, -tyoo] / ɪmˈprɒmp tu, -tju /

adjective

1. made or done without previous preparation.

   an impromptu address to the unexpected crowds.

2. suddenly or hastily prepared, made, etc..

   an impromptu dinner.

3. improvised; having the character of an improvisation.

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adverb

1. without preparation.

   verses written impromptu.

noun

• impromptus
  plural

1. something impromptu; an impromptu speech, musical composition, performance, etc.

2. a character piece for piano common in the 19th century and having, despite its title, a clear-cut form.

impromptu British  

/ ɪmˈprɒmptjuː /

adjective

1. unrehearsed; spontaneous; extempore

2. produced or done without care or planning; improvised

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adverb

1. in a spontaneous or improvised way

   he spoke impromptu

noun

1. something that is impromptu

2. a short piece of instrumental music, sometimes improvisatory in character

Synonym Usage

See extemporaneous.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• impromptus
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of impromptu

First recorded in 1660–70; from French, from Latin in promptū “in readiness”; see in, prompt

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Explanation

Some of the best kinds of parties are impromptu ones, when you decide at the last minute to get together. The adjective impromptu describes things done or said without previous thought or preparation. Impromptu is also used as an adverb: Most people are not able to speak impromptu in front of an audience. This word was borrowed from French and ultimately derives from the Latin in prōmptū ("at hand, in readiness") from in ("in") plus a form of prōmptus ("readiness"). As you can guess from the spelling, the adjective and verb prompt are related to impromptu; they are from the same Latin verb, prōmere, "to bring forth."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

impromptu impromptus

At many companies, workers start whispering about possible cuts as soon as they spot leaders in impromptu huddles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

The lack of conflict that might have been created on a conventional news channel renders his impromptu network interminably boring.

From Salon ● Sep. 27, 2026

MacArthur Park got an unexpected guest Tuesday: Justin Bieber, who joined several members of his band for an impromptu performance.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026

Coldplay singer Chris Martin joined a busker in central London for an impromptu duet.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

I returned the favor by giving an impromptu lesson in psychology, probability, and manual dexterity.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

For the first half, he joined three otherworldly impromptus — Drei Klavierstücke, Opus 946 — written in Schubert’s last months with the Third Sonata by the neglected Soviet composer Dmitri Kabalevsky.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 29, 2025

For the occasion Mr. Lubimov looked at the forward end of the fortepiano repertory, beginning and ending with late Beethoven sonatas and offering a Glinka rarity and a pair of Schubert impromptus between them.

From New York Times ● Mar. 28, 2012

Chopin's four impromptus, often dismissed as salon pieces and rarely played as a group, completed an uncommonly interesting programme.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 3, 2010

Mr. Kissin performs four polonaises and four impromptus with his customary crystalline technique, singing tone and generous rubato.

From New York Times ● May 27, 2010

Antecedent facts, the nature of institutions, the cast of minds and the state of morals are the materials of which are composed those impromptus which astonish and alarm us.

From The Recollections of Alexis de Tocqueville by Alexis de Tocqueville

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Related Words

• offhand
• spontaneous
• unscripted

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