extemporize

American  

[ik-stem-puh-rahyz] / ɪkˈstɛm pəˌraɪz /

especially British, extemporise

verb (used without object)

extemporized, extemporizing

1. to speak extemporaneously.

   He can extemporize on any of a number of subjects.

2. to sing, or play on an instrument, composing the music as one proceeds; improvise.

3. to do or manage something in a makeshift way.

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verb (used with object)

extemporized, extemporizing

1. to make or devise extempore.

2. Music. to compose offhand; improvise.

extemporize British  

/ ɪkˈstɛmpəˌraɪz /

verb

1. to perform, speak, or compose (an act, speech, piece of music, etc) without planning or preparation

2. to use (a temporary solution) for an immediate need; improvise

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Other Word Forms

• extemporization noun
• extemporizer noun

Etymology

Origin of extemporize

First recorded in 1635–45; extempore + -ize

Example Sentences

Sensing an opportunity to extemporize, he looked around the chamber, pleased.

From Los Angeles Times

At the finale's close, after Alex has haltingly extemporized about whether she deserves all the terrible things that have happened to her and mulls the possibility of life after death, she shrugs.

From Salon

Historically, chanteys – which are also spelled as "shanties" or "chanties" – began with a sing-out by a crew member recognized as "the chanteyman," usually someone prized for his voice and ability to extemporize.

From Salon

In late August, near the end of his somnolent address on the South Front of the White House accepting the Republican nomination, Trump extemporized: "The fact is, we're here – and they're not."

From Salon

In late August, near the end of a somnolent address on the South Lawn of the White House, accepting the Republican nomination, Trump extemporized: “The fact is, we’re here – and they’re not.”

From The Guardian