improvise
verb (used with object)
to compose and perform or deliver without previous preparation; extemporize.
had been improvising
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past perfect progressiveof improvise.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
Since I had been improvising and playing on my own, I had no patience with trying to play from music.
From Scientific American ● Dec. 10, 2013
Persistence Rewarded That power may have helped when Dr. Lander approached the presidents of Harvard and M.I.T. and proposed creating a permanent institute to continue the collaborative process that groups of scientists had been improvising.
From New York Times ● Jan. 2, 2012
Nothing in the world could have pleased the hospitable country women more than the parties that Doctor Tom had been improvising for the amusement of the singer girl.
From The Road to Providence by Maria Thompson Daviess
We asked if he had been improvising, or if what he played was already printed.
From Franz Liszt by James Huneker
