improvisation
Americannoun
-
improvisations
plural
-
the art or act of improvising, or of composing, uttering, executing, or arranging anything without previous preparation.
Musical improvisation involves imagination and creativity.
-
something improvised.
The actor's improvisation in Act II was both unexpected and amazing.
noun
-
the act or an instance of improvising
-
a product of improvising; something improvised
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of improvisation
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.
Vocabulary lists containing improvisation
Starting Your New Life: Inspiring Words from Commencement Speeches
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Dwight D. Eisenhower, "The Military-Industrial Complex" (1961)
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Theater - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
Messi's genius has always been rooted in improvisation.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
That’s still my favorite kind of recipe: one that knows exactly what it is while leaving plenty of room for improvisation.
From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026
He well understood the city’s brightness, harshness, improvisation and fractured essence.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026
Then things happen and it feels like there is a lot of improvisation and performance.
From Barron's ● Apr. 12, 2026
With his usual flare for improvisation, Bloom contributed something else that would forever color America’s perception of the Middle East.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
But on “Shards” the trio has heightened its musicality: There are references to dance styles; the track “Barbershop” would fit perfectly onto a house-music playlist; and the improvisations emerge more naturally in the mix.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 13, 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
Slattery was known and loved for his quick-witted improvisations on the popular Channel 4 show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, from 1988 onwards.
From BBC ● Jan. 14, 2025
Perttu Kesäniemi and Mikko Ojanen recorded the artists' vocal and instrumental improvisations at the University of Helsinki Music Research Laboratory, and digitally added the acoustics of selected sites to them.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 25, 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
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.
