improvise

[ im-pruh-vahyz ]

/ ˈɪm prəˌvaɪz /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR improvise ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), im·pro·vised, im·pro·vis·ing.

to compose and perform or deliver without previous preparation; extemporize: to improvise an acceptance speech.

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

to make, provide, or arrange from whatever materials are readily available: We improvised a dinner from yesterday's leftovers.

verb (used without object), im·pro·vised, im·pro·vis·ing.

to compose, utter, execute, or arrange anything extemporaneously: When the actor forgot his lines he had to improvise.

Nearby words

Origin of improvise

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

Related formsim·pro·vis·er, im·pro·vi·sor, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for improvise

But I will say the hardest to play for me—well, one of the easiest to improvise, but also the hardest character is Liz.
The Zany Shades of Nick Kroll|Abby Haglage|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We had to improvise a little bit to make this position work, but it paid off in the end.
I Tried Cosmo’s New Lesbian Sex Tips|Samantha Allen|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A shortage of pentobarbital has forced some states to improvise, often with gruesome consequences.
Pennsylvania’s Lethal Injection Fiasco|Christopher Moraff|September 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Click & Style is easy to talk about because I use it so much, so it was easy to improvise on set.
How 'The Mindy Project' Star Adam Pally Became Hollywood's Go-To 'Bro'|Kevin Fallon|August 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“We had to improvise,” Yehudit Ayalon, who began working 10-hour shifts in the factory at age 19, told Haaretz last year.
Israel Had a Secret, Underground Bullet Factory|Nina Strochlic|July 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the event of a cutting east wind after the seedlings are up, improvise some kind of shelter until the danger is past.
The Culture of Vegetables and Flowers From Seeds and Roots, 16th Edition|Sutton and Sons
Just as we cannot improvise a genius, we cannot improvise a saint.
Human Personality and its Survival of Bodily Death|Frederick W. H. Myers
He could improvise little themes at the piano, but was not fond of technical drudgery at the instrument in those early days.
The World's Great Men of Music|Harriette Brower
Especially should the mother teach her children to improvise music, which can be done by pursuing this method.
Guide to the Kindergarten and Intermediate Class and Moral Culture of Infancy.|Elizabeth P. Peabody
Some will be failures, no doubt; but after you get the knack you will be able to improvise on the least promising materials.
Camp and Trail|Stewart Edward White

British Dictionary definitions for improvise

improvise

/ (ˈɪmprəˌvaɪz) /

verb

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

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

Derived Formsimproviser, noun

Word Origin for improvise

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for improvise

improvise

1826, back-formation from improvisation, or else from French improviser (17c.), from Italian improvisare "to sing or speak extempore," from improviso, from Latin improvisus "unforeseen, unexpected" (see improvisation). Or possibly a back-formation from improvisation. Related: Improvised; improvising.

improvise

verb (used with object), im·pro·vised, im·pro·vis·ing.

verb (used without object), im·pro·vised, im·pro·vis·ing.

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Origin of improvise

Examples from the Web for improvise

British Dictionary definitions for improvise

improvise

verb

Word Origin for improvise

Word Origin and History for improvise

improvise