improvisation

American  

[im-prov-uh-zey-shuhn, im-pruh-vuh-] / ɪmˌprɒv əˈzeɪ ʃən, ˌɪm prə və- /

noun

1. the art or act of improvising, or of composing, uttering, executing, or arranging anything without previous preparation.

   Musical improvisation involves imagination and creativity.

2. something improvised.

   The actor's improvisation in Act II was both unexpected and amazing.

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improvisation British  

/ ˌɪmprəvaɪˈzeɪtərɪ, -trɪ, ˌɪmprəˈvaɪzətərɪ, ˌɪmprəvaɪˈzeɪʃən, -ˈvɪz- /

noun

1. the act or an instance of improvising

2. a product of improvising; something improvised

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Other Word Forms

• improvisational adjective

Etymology

Origin of improvisation

First recorded in 1780–90; improvise + -ation

Example Sentences

There are song-like arcs but also an undisturbed flow of improvisation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

When movement finally began, it resembled not so much order as managed improvisation.

From Slate • Mar. 26, 2026

But if your brain operates more like mine — prone to a certain kind of domestic improvisation — it can help to take one extra pass and translate each zone into actual tasks.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

For the American firms and American consumers who bear the brunt of tariffs, the practical question is simpler: Will U.S. trade policy become stable and predictable, or will it remain an instrument of constant improvisation?

From MarketWatch • Feb. 23, 2026

The rest was pure improvisation, and it left little time for explanation.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

Related Words

• spontaneity