improvise

[ im-pruh-vahyz ]

/ ˈɪm prəˌvaɪz /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: improvise / improvised / improvising 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.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of improvise

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)”; see im-², proviso

OTHER WORDS FROM improvise

im·pro·vis·er, im·pro·vi·sor, noun

Words nearby improvise

improver, improvident, improvisation, improvisator, improvisatory, improvise, improvised, improvised explosive device, improvvisatore, imprudence, imprudent

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use improvise in a sentence

Whether you forget to pack your tent guy line, or you are improvising a tarp shelter from a scrap of parachute or sail cloth, this strong cord will help you build a dependable structure.
This essential survival tool can save your life 10 different ways|By Tim MacWelch/Outdoor Life|September 15, 2020|Popular-Science
Both major parties had to improvise on the traditional convention playbook because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, holding nearly all-virtual gatherings instead.
The GOP Convention Violated Plenty Of Norms, But Did It Undermine Democratic Values?|Julia Azari|September 1, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
They are do-it-yourself “hacks” improvised by ordinary folks using whatever materials they have on hand.
Michelangelo vs. MacGyver: Who will design the offices of our post-COVID future?|claychandler|September 1, 2020|Fortune
Our grand, improvised remote work experiment has taught us so much, there's simply no better time than now to adapt your business processes and culture to this new opportunity.
Going all-in on remote work: The technical and cultural changes|Lee Hutchinson|August 28, 2020|Ars Technica

The Orioles’ strength and conditioning staff helped players construct improvised weight-training equipment for those with limited means or without access to gyms, he added.
What A Year Off Might Do To Baseball Players’ Skills|Travis Sawchik|July 31, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
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
I heard writer Justin Lader wrote 50 pages of suggested script for The One I Love and let the actors improvise the rest.
Is Elisabeth Moss the One 'True Detective' Loves? She Doesn't Deny It.|Melissa Leon|August 12, 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
Hospital trains they could improvise out of what rolling stock remained to them.
The Amazing Interlude|Mary Roberts Rinehart
Chopin at once went to the piano, and invited those present to give him a theme to improvise upon.
Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician|Frederick Niecks
On catching him I found that he had somehow severed an artery in his tail, and I had to improvise a tourniquet to stop the flow.
The Red Cow and Her Friends|Peter McArthur
Having shipped the last article, I returned into the brake, seeking something from which to improvise a paddle.
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce|Ambrose Bierce
Britain, on the other hand, has had to improvise her war organisation since war has been actually forced on her.
The Romance of the Red Triangle|Arthur Keysall Yapp

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 forms of improvise

improviser, 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

improvise

Origin of improvise

OTHER WORDS FROM improvise

Words nearby improvise

Words related to improvise

How to use improvise in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for improvise

Derived forms of improvise

Word Origin for improvise