improvise

[im-pruh-vahyz]

verb (used with object)

improvised, improvising 

1. to compose and perform or deliver without previous preparation; extemporize.

   to improvise an acceptance speech.

2. to compose, play, recite, or sing (verse, music, etc.) on the spur of the moment.

3. to make, provide, or arrange from whatever materials are readily available.

   We improvised a dinner from yesterday's leftovers.

verb (used without object)

improvised, improvising 

1. to compose, utter, execute, or arrange anything extemporaneously.

   When the actor forgot his lines he had to improvise.

improvise

/ ˈɪmprəˌvaɪz /

verb

1. to perform or make quickly from materials and sources available, without previous planning

2. to perform (a poem, play, piece of music, etc), composing as one goes along

Other Word Forms

• improviser noun
• improvisor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of improvise¹

First recorded in 1820–30; from French improviser, or its source, Italian improvisare (later improvvisare ), verbal derivative of improviso “improvised,” from Latin imprōvīsus, equivalent to im- “un-” + prōvīsus, past participle of prōvidēre “to see beforehand, prepare, provide for (a future circumstance)”; im- ², proviso

Word History and Origins

Origin of improvise¹

C19: from French, from Italian improvvisare, from Latin imprōvīsus unforeseen, from _im- (not) + prōvīsus, from prōvidēre to foresee; see _provide

Example Sentences

With the camera on the dashboard, the vehicle becomes a surreptitious mobile set with Panahi and his co-stars mostly improvising their dialogue, some of it as cutting as anything intentional.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Force Tagovailoa to improvise; he can struggle when he’s out of rhythm.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Hamas members later surrounded a large area where more than 300 Dughmush gunmen were believed to be holed up, armed with machine guns and improvised explosives.

Read more on BBC

Authorities found a suspected improvised explosive device and evidence the suspects were planning to use a drone during searches in Deurne, Antwerp, close to the prime minister's private residence.

Read more on BBC

On a show dictated by cue cards, he’s the rare cast member with some leeway to improvise.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ad-lib 
• brainstorm 
• concoct 
• contrive 
• devise 
• dream up 
• invent 
• throw together