Synonyms

extemporaneously

American

[ik-stem-puh-rey-nee-uhs-lee] / ɪkˌstɛm pəˈreɪ ni əs li /

adverb

with little or no advance preparation.

The preacher’s Sunday sermons were delivered extemporaneously, with seldom more than a one page outline before him.
Those of you who have attended an improvisation workshop have experience speaking extemporaneously, or off the cuff.

Etymology

Origin of extemporaneously

extemporaneous ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Very Delta” is Delta Work’s weekly YouTube talk show where she “looks gorgeous, speaks extemporaneously, and invites fascinating guests to sit on her couch” and chat about things that are “Very Delta.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2025

The vice president has the facility to speak candidly and extemporaneously.

From Slate • Sep. 11, 2024

Other pieces, including tables, chairs and lamps, were made of hard plastic, also with vibrant pigments added extemporaneously.

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2024

Speechwriters do try and prepare for such moments, particularly if a president is known to speak extemporaneously.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 3, 2024

He had a beautiful way of speaking—sentences and whole paragraphs just seemed to flow extemporaneously, organically.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023