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

Example Sentences

“It’s a spill-your-guts-out record,” she says, adding that for every song, she’d write a first verse, then ad lib the rest in the studio.

From Los Angeles Times

They sang every word, every ad lib, of every song - some with mascara running, others with hands clasped to their chests.

From BBC

I could ad lib those two scenes with the boys when I wake them up.

From Los Angeles Times

It was almost like a comedy ad lib session.

From Los Angeles Times

Williams says working on the show was fun because of the cast chemistry, and the license to ad lib at times to make scenes funnier felt “very fulfilling.”

From Seattle Times