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
Synonym Usage
See extemporaneous.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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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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.
Videos posted to social media showed crowds chanting, singing and cheering in the streets, while impromptu block parties stretched across avenues in parts of the city.
From Salon • Jun. 14, 2026
He spoke of animals climbing through the windows at training camps and impromptu matches on Brazilian beaches.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026
His counsel, Emily Lauchlan, said it was an "impromptu pursuit without forward thinking or planning".
From BBC • May 29, 2026
During the pandemic, American consumers flocked to furniture stores to outfit impromptu home offices.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
I was five or six at the time, I could barely read, but regardless, my dad gave me this impromptu geography lesson in preparation for an upcoming road trip or something.
From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx
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.
