extempore

American  

[ik-stem-puh-ree] / ɪkˈstɛm pə ri /

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 British  

/ ɪkˈstɛmpərɪ /

adverb

1. without planning or preparation; impromptu

---

Related Words

See extemporaneous.

Other Word Forms

• nonextempore adverb

Etymology

Origin of extempore

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 )

Example Sentences

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.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2023

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

From New York Times • Jan. 8, 2020

There were no musical instruments and psalms were led, while prayers were extempore and interminable with some church members rambling on for 20 minutes minimum.

From The Guardian • Sep. 10, 2016

But Mr Modi used it to speak about the issues bothering Indians every day and in a break from tradition, he spoke extempore, without consulting any notes.

From BBC • Aug. 15, 2014

That address was altogether extempore; and my recollection of particular expressions I may have employed, is very imperfect.

From A Letter to the Right Hon. Lord Bexley containing a statement to the committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society by Cunningham, Francis