impromptu
Americanadjective
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made or done without previous preparation.
an impromptu address to the unexpected crowds.
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suddenly or hastily prepared, made, etc..
an impromptu dinner.
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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
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produced or done without care or planning; improvised
adverb
noun
-
something that is impromptu
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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”; in, prompt
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.
Efforts to wring laughs out of a genuinely awful situation yield only a few uncomfortable chuckles, such as when Charlie and Emma strike some warmup poses for a wedding photographer during an impromptu session.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026
Little stone circles had been laid as impromptu memorials to the men at the site where they died, a little Palestinian flag flapping above one.
From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026
In September 2022, William made an impromptu call to Harry to suggest they walk out of Windsor Castle together to greet crowds who had gathered to mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026
After hearing that the shrine would be taken down, Erin Curran from Northern Ireland has booked an "impromptu" trip before it's gone.
From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026
There would be no historical single slide across the river, no amazing story to tell, and no impromptu celebration complete with blackberry Snow Delights.
From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el
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.
