improvisation

[im-prov-uh-zey-shuhn, im-pruh-vuh-]

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.

Other Word Forms

• improvisational adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of improvisation¹

First recorded in 1780–90; improvise + -ation

Example Sentences

“I saw an opportunity there. I want to teach improvisation in L.A. That’s what I can give to this community,” she says.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Director Steve Carr, whose credits include the comedies “Next Friday” and “Daddy Day Care,” encouraged improvisation as he strived to recreate the magic of the season — easier said than done.

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When DiCaprio cut loose with long improvisations, like when his character, a burnout revolutionary, argues on the phone with headquarters, the crew played it safe by capturing his takes with a conventional film camera.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Its brief, exquisite melody glides in like a slow tide, and eventually releases into eddies of improvisation.

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It’s the same thrill I get from a few bedrock recipes, the ones so deeply memorized they become launchpads for improvisation.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• spontaneity