extemporal

[ ik-stem-per-uhl ]

/ ɪkˈstɛm pər əl /

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extemporaneous; extempore.

QUIZZES

Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.

Question 1 of 7

Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?

First recorded in 1560–70, extemporal is from the Latin word extemporālis on the spur of the moment. See extempore, -al¹

ex·tem·po·ral·ly, adverb

Keats had in no small degree the ‘fine extemporal vein’ with ‘invention quicker than his eye.’
The Bibliotaph|Leon H. Vincent
Sir Nathaniel, will you hear an extemporal epitaph on the death of the deer?
Shakespeare's Lost Years in London, 1586-1592|Arthur Acheson
Men of great genius had a passion for performing in these extemporal comedies.
Curiosities of Literature, Vol. II (of 3)|Isaac Disraeli
But there were probably some secret aids in this singular art of Extemporal Comedy which the pride of the artist has concealed.
Curiosities of Literature, Vol. II (of 3)|Isaac Disraeli

Stowe records of one of our actors that "he had a quick, delicate, refined, extemporal wit."
Curiosities of Literature, Vol. II (of 3)|Isaac Disraeli