im·promp·tu

[im-promp-too, -tyoo]
adjective
1.
made or done without previous preparation: an impromptu address to the unexpected crowds.
2.
suddenly or hastily prepared, made, etc.: an impromptu dinner.
3.
improvised; having the character of an improvisation.
adverb
4.
without preparation: verses written impromptu.
noun
5.
something impromptu; an impromptu speech, musical composition, performance, etc.
6.
a character piece for piano common in the 19th century and having, despite its title, a clear-cut form.

Origin:
1660–70; < French < Latin in promptū in readiness; see in, prompt


1. See extemporaneous.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To impromptu
00:10
Impromptu is a GRE word you need to know.
So is impair. Does it mean:
to make or cause to become worse; diminish in ability, value, excellence, etc.; weaken or damage:
Absolutely necessary or required; unavoidable | Zorunlu, mecburi
Collins
World English Dictionary
impromptu (ɪmˈprɒmptjuː) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  unrehearsed; spontaneous; extempore
2.  produced or done without care or planning; improvised
 
adv
3.  in a spontaneous or improvised way: he spoke impromptu
 
n
4.  something that is impromptu
5.  a short piece of instrumental music, sometimes improvisatory in character
 
[C17: from French, from Latin in promptū in readiness, from promptus (adj) ready, prompt]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

impromptu
1669 (adv.), 1764 (adj.), from Fr. impromptu (1659), from L. in promptu "in readiness," from in "in" + promptu, abl. of promptus "readiness," from pp. of promere "to bring out," from pro- "before, forward, for" + emere "to obtain" (see exempt).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia

impromptu

a 19th-century piano composition intended to produce the illusion of spontaneous improvisation. In keeping with this fundamental premise, there is no particular form associated with the impromptu, although ternary and rondo schemes are common. The style of the music is similar to that of other compositions of the period, with such designations as fantasie, caprice, and bagatelle.

Learn more about impromptu with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Throughout the year there are impromptu events in the square, neighborhood
  dinners and parties.
Impromptu picking camps spring up and disband in a matter of weeks, leaving
  garbage pits and barren land in their wake.
With the turn of a crank, slowly a big iron door slid back, allowing the chimps
  access to their impromptu photo studio.
These exemplar papers take into account the draft and impromptu nature of the
  writing situation.
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT