extempore
Americanadverb
-
on the spur of the moment; without premeditation or preparation; offhand.
Questions were asked extempore from the floor.
-
without notes.
to speak extempore.
-
(of musical performance) by improvisation.
adjective
adverb
Synonym Usage
See extemporaneous.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of extempore
First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin: literally, “out of the time, at the moment,” equivalent to ex “out of” ( see ex- 1) + tempore “the time” (ablative singular of tempus )
Explanation
Something extempore is spontaneous and unscripted. An extempore dance party on the city bus might be fun, while an extempore speech in front of the whole school could be terrifying. The term exetempore comes from the Latin phrase ex tempore, "out of time," and was originally used to mean "without time to prepare." These days it usually comes up when a performer is improvising or a speaker goes off script or doesn't use a teleprompter: "The President's extempore remarks made his advisors nervous." You can also use the synonym extemporaneous.
Vocabulary lists containing extempore
A Midsummer Night's Dream
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Society and Solitude
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Novel Study: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act 1
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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.
Much has been said from time to time concerning Extempore Prayers and Extempore Praise, as opposed to those which are more carefully prepared and agreed upon.
From The Prayer Book Explained by Jackson, Percival
Extempore prayers are not, perhaps, a proper subject for comment.
From Famous Americans of Recent Times by Parton, James
William Pittenger relates in his volume, "Extempore Speech," an instance of the unconsciously farcical use of the pause by a really great American statesman and orator.
From The Art of Public Speaking by Carnagey, Dale
Extempore verses are certainly the very touch-stone of genius.
From The Pretentious Young Ladies by Molière
Extempore playing is not to be compared with this, as the concerto was written for strings and piano, Beethoven taking the piano part.
From Beethoven by Fischer, George Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
