impromptu
Americanadjective
-
made or done without previous preparation.
an impromptu address to the unexpected crowds.
-
suddenly or hastily prepared, made, etc..
an impromptu dinner.
-
improvised; having the character of an improvisation.
adverb
noun
-
something impromptu; an impromptu speech, musical composition, performance, etc.
-
a character piece for piano common in the 19th century and having, despite its title, a clear-cut form.
adjective
-
unrehearsed; spontaneous; extempore
-
produced or done without care or planning; improvised
adverb
noun
-
something that is impromptu
-
a short piece of instrumental music, sometimes improvisatory in character
Related Words
See extemporaneous.
Etymology
Origin of impromptu
First recorded in 1660–70; from French, from Latin in promptū “in readiness”; see in, prompt
Explanation
Some of the best kinds of parties are impromptu ones, when you decide at the last minute to get together. The adjective impromptu describes things done or said without previous thought or preparation. Impromptu is also used as an adverb: Most people are not able to speak impromptu in front of an audience. This word was borrowed from French and ultimately derives from the Latin in prōmptū ("at hand, in readiness") from in ("in") plus a form of prōmptus ("readiness"). As you can guess from the spelling, the adjective and verb prompt are related to impromptu; they are from the same Latin verb, prōmere, "to bring forth."
Vocabulary lists containing impromptu
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Dear Martin
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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.
During the pandemic, American consumers flocked to furniture stores to outfit impromptu home offices.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
While an impromptu trip to New York seems unlikely, Pope Leo XIV's public schedule is clear on May 21.
From Barron's • May 21, 2026
Hull’s homage to Spirit was seen by more than 1 million people on the Points Guy’s Instagram account — and hundreds of commenters shared their own impromptu eulogies.
From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026
My husband and I burst out laughing – not at that scene, or the clerk’s impromptu theatrics, but at this injection of delight into an otherwise mundane errand.
From Salon • May 2, 2026
Shadrach, the runaway slave, was outside the courthouse before the police officers, who were guarding him, were aware that they had just watched an impromptu and wonderfully effective rescue party at work.
From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry
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.
