improvisation

American  

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

noun

• improvisations
  plural

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  

/ 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

Derived Forms

• improvisational
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• improvisations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of improvisation

First recorded in 1780–90; improvise + -ation

Explanation

Improvisation is making it up as you go along, like taking a long stroll with no destination in mind and walking down random streets for the fun of it. Making choices that aren’t planned ahead of time, that’s improvisation. Jazz musicians are masters of improvisation, creating saxophone solos off the top of their heads based on what they feel in the moment. The Latin word improvisus means “unforeseen,” and improvisation happens when you can’t see the end goal but you keep moving ahead, dealing with obstacles in a creative way.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

improvisation improvisations

Nobody expects the president to write his own speeches, even if nowadays we can count on plenty of improvisation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

Now, it is serendipity and improvisation that guide them.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

At a moment when technology promises ever-greater efficiency, “The Bear” makes a quieter if tenacious case for the value of people: their improvisation, intuition and stubborn belief that something worth doing is worth doing well.

From Salon ● Jun. 28, 2026

He well understood the city’s brightness, harshness, improvisation and fractured essence.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026

To prepare for the improvisation part of this rhyme, use rhythm cards for several weeks prior.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Listen closely through the web of startling improvisations on Mr. Sorey’s version of “Effi,” and you can hear Mr. Allen playing traces of Merritt’s alluring bass grooves from the original.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

Once those called back were selected, she auditioned each in person alongside an interpreter, using improvisations based on the script.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 11, 2026

The pianos are made in significant numbers, but each one requires the application of personalized craft; Mr. Payne’s photographs display Steinway employees with the technical virtuosity and artistic improvisations of fine musicians.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 25, 2026

"We do all sorts of exercises to establish the family routines and the traditions. We do improvisations based on, 'What's Sunday dinner like?'"

From BBC ● Dec. 19, 2024

She would whisper in her Uncle Marcos’s ear, and he in turn would transmit the message to the client, along with any improvisations of his own that he thought pertinent.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

Related Words

• spontaneity