improvise
[ im-pruh-vahyz ]
/ ˈɪm prəˌvaɪz /
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.
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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, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for improvise
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, nounWord Origin for improvise
C19: from French, from Italian improvvisare, from Latin imprōvīsus unforeseen, from im- (not) + prōvīsus, from prōvidēre to foresee; see provide
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