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View synonyms for

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

/ ˈɪəˌɪ /

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

“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
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Other Word Forms

  • improviser noun
  • improvisor noun
  • ˈˌ noun
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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 ōīܲ, equivalent to im- “un-” + ōīܲ, past participle of ōŧ “to see beforehand, prepare, provide for (a future circumstance)”; im- 2, proviso
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Word History and Origins

Origin of improvise1

C19: from French, from Italian improvvisare, from Latin ōīܲ unforeseen, from im- (not) + ōīܲ, from ōŧ to foresee; see provide
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“We had some drinks in us, we had the piano, we were improvising songs …  Rene fell on the ground trying to pants Ken,” said Barbosa.

From

They added that every moment was "improvised by Mr Baldoni with no discussion or consent in advance, and no intimacy co-ordinator present".

From

In her complaint, Lively accused Baldoni of inappropriate physical and verbal conduct, including improvised scenes of intimacy and unsolicited comments about her appearance — allegations Baldoni strongly denied.

From

The hidden ingredient in your grandmother’s soup wasn’t just paprika; it was the hours she spent tasting and adjusting, planning, stretching, improvising.

From

This is a decentralized coalition of kids pooling their oddities, improvising solutions, and building solidarity in real time.

From

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