ad lib

[ ad lib, ad ]

/ æd ˈlɪb, ˈæd /

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See synonyms for ad lib on Thesaurus.com

noun

something improvised in speech, music, etc.: Was that joke part of your speech or an ad lib?

adverb

at one's pleasure; without restriction.

freely; as needed; without stint: Water can be given to the patients ad lib.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of ad lib

First recorded in 1810–20; see origin at ad libitum

Other definitions for ad lib (2 of 3)

ad-lib

[ ad-lib, ad- ]

/ ædˈlɪb, ˈæd- /

verb (used with object), ad-libbed, ad-lib·bing.

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-lib·bing.

to act, speak, etc., without preparation: Throughout the play he had to ad-lib constantly.

adjective

impromptu; extemporaneous: ad-lib remarks to hecklers.

Origin of ad-lib

1915–20, Americanism; v. use of ad lib

OTHER WORDS FROM ad-lib

ad-libber, noun

Other definitions for ad lib (3 of 3)

ad lib.

abbreviation

ad libitum.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ad lib in a sentence

They told me to forget the script because I was going to have to ad-lib everything.
Charlie Brotman, Announcer of Presidential Inaugurals Since Truman’s|Sandra McElwaine|January 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But the prince also proved he could warm up the weather with a clever ad lib.
Prince Charles, BBC Weatherman & More Forecasts by Celebrities (Video)|The Daily Beast|May 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Now Guttentag encourages us to forget about the script and ad lib the scene.
My All-Too-Brief Acting Career|Howard Kurtz|July 5, 2011|DAILY BEAST
I had a brilliant ad lib as I came to: “I think I passed out.”
Pablo Schreiber on His New Off-Broadway Play|Kevin Sessums|February 1, 2011|DAILY BEAST

It consisted of a monologue delivered by the poisonous young woman to the macaw, occasionally varied by ad lib.
The Book of Susan|Lee Wilson Dodd
This goes on ad lib., and we were soothed to sleep by those wild yells.
The Land of the Black Mountain|Reginald Wyon
Even here, in an embarrassing situation calling for lines spoken ad lib.
Sundry Accounts|Irvin S. Cobb
Well, you look here, my bloke: I'll have fizz ad lib., or it won't wash.
The Ebb-Tide|Robert Louis Stevenson and Lloyde Osbourne
"I needed a job awful bad," I answered sullenly, knowing it sounded like an ad lib.
The Old Die Rich|Horace Leonard Gold

British Dictionary definitions for ad lib

ad-lib

/ (ædˈlɪb) /

verb -libs, -libbing or -libbed

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

adjective (ad lib when predicative)

improvised; impromptu

adverb ad lib

without restraint; freely

music short for ad libitum

noun

an improvised performance, often humorous

Derived forms of ad-lib