Showing results for "ad hoc"

SEE ALSO:

Slang dictionary results for ad hoc.

ad hoc

American  

[ad hok, ahd hohk] / æd ˈhɒk, ɑd ˈhoʊk /

adverb

1. for the special purpose or end presently under consideration.

   a committee formed ad hoc to deal with the issue.

---

adjective

1. concerned or dealing with a specific subject, purpose, or end.

   The ad hoc committee disbanded after making its final report.

ad hoc British  

/ æd ˈhɒk /

adjective

1. for a particular purpose only; lacking generality or justification

   an ad hoc decision

   an ad hoc committee

---

ad hoc Cultural  

1. A phrase describing something created especially for a particular occasion: “We need an ad hoc committee to handle this new problem immediately.” From Latin, meaning “toward this (matter).”

---

ad hoc Idioms  

1. For the special purpose or end at hand; also, by extension, improvised or impromptu. The term, Latin for “to this,” is most often used for committees established for a specific purpose, as in The committee was formed ad hoc to address health insurance problems. The term is also used as an adjective (An ad hoc committee was formed), and has given rise to the noun adhocism for the tendency to use temporary, provisional, or improvised methods to deal with a particular problem. [Early 1600s]

---

Usage

What does ad hoc mean? Something ad hoc is put together on the fly for one narrow, pressing, or special purpose. For example, a government committee arranged to address one specific problem would be an ad hoc committee. More loosely, it can mean "spontaneous," "unplanned," or "on the spot."Ad hoc is one of those Latin phrases commonly found in academic, law, and government contexts. It literally means "for this (thing)."

Etymology

Origin of ad hoc

First recorded in 1550–60; from Latin ad hōc “for this, to this”

Example Sentences

An ad hoc committee focused on reform spent several months discussing the issue, only to forward it to the 13-member Charter Reform Commission.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2026

This ad hoc demand puzzled the Saudis and other rulers—who consider themselves allied with the U.S. and who are hoping for an end to the war.

From Slate • Jun. 1, 2026

"This was a completely ad hoc and non-political visit, and both appreciated the opportunity to meet with you, learn more about the organisation, and hear about the important work you carry out," it continued.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

It took an ad hoc international tribunal that established its own rules to do it.

From Salon • May 18, 2026

The lack of criticism evidenced by our ad hoc community influenced me, and set a tone of tolerance for my life.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

Related Words

• impromptu
• provisional