extempore

[ik-stem-puh-ree]

adverb

1. on the spur of the moment; without premeditation or preparation; offhand.

   Questions were asked extempore from the floor.

2. without notes.

   to speak extempore.

3. (of musical performance) by improvisation.

adjective

1. extemporaneous; impromptu.

extempore

/ ɪkˈstɛmpərɪ /

adverb

1. without planning or preparation; impromptu

Other Word Forms

• nonextempore adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of extempore¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin: literally, “out of the time, at the moment,” equivalent to ex “out of” ( ex- ¹ ) + tempore “the time” (ablative singular of tempus )

Word History and Origins

Origin of extempore¹

C16: from Latin ex tempore instantaneously, from _ex- ¹ out of + tempus time

Synonym Study

See extemporaneous.

Example Sentences

By then, Nehru had gained a reputation as a formidable orator, delivering extempore speeches that ranged effortlessly across politics, science, art, and ethics.

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And whenever he performed during the show - including an extempore rap performance while inhaling helium from a balloon - fans would celebrate on social media for days.

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It was his ability to speak extempore with an eloquence and inventiveness unrivaled in 17th-century Paris.

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On stage, James could stretch I’d Rather Go Blind out to 10 minutes of extempore soul-bearing, but the simple, concise studio original is pretty much perfect.

Read more on The Guardian

In 1974, when Mr. Braufman was deeply embedded on New York’s radical free-jazz scene, he recorded “Valley of Search,” a record of darkly melodic improvising and portentous incantations and extempore group explosions.

Read more on New York Times