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improvisation

[im-prov-uh-zey-shuhn, im-pruh-vuh-]

Example Sentences Origin

noun

an act of improvising.

something improvised.

Origin:
1780–90; improvise + -ation

Related forms

im·prov·i·sa·tion·al, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To improvisation

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Improvisation has a plethora of syllables.

So is dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane. Does it mean:

a white, crystalline, water-insoluble solid, C14H9Cl5, usually derived from chloral by reaction with chlorobenzene in the presence of fuming sulfuric acid: used as an insecticide and as a scabicide and pediculicide: agricultural use prohibited in the U.S.

given to using long words.

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Example Sentences

He saves the empty backgrounds for expressionistic improvisation in glowing pastel pinks, powder blues and pale yellows.

Additional duties may include courses in jazz history/literature and improvisation.

Distortions in the economy are being aggravated by the expansionary fiscal stance and policy improvisation.

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He saves the empty backgrounds for expressionistic improvisation in glowing pastel pinks, powder blues and pale yellows.

Additional duties may include courses in jazz history/literature and improvisation.

Distortions in the economy are being aggravated by the expansionary fiscal stance and policy improvisation.

Once mastered, the radif becomes the springboard for the highly developed and sophisticated art of improvisation.

Every time you do it, it gives you some surprise element, because there's improvisation involved with it.

Lehrer used musical improvisation awash with vivid tropical colors to inspire her design.

If the improvisation involves alcohol and fire, so much the better.

The rest of the recording doesn't always reach that tune's high level of improvisation.

If we're honest with ourselves and with each other, we'd admit it is all improvisation.

Setting up a tribunal there was a matter of improvisation or making do.

Ferguson is probably the last to have learned the trade through verbal contests, dueling and improvisation.

The festival features dance and musical performances, hands-on art activities, improvisation and movement sessions.

It's all about creativity, all about improvisation rather than mastery.

Improvisation as a compositional device is one thing.

Improvisation must stop, moreover if it contributes to the death of people.

Every person solves problems in his or her own way, with a mix of technology and body improvisation.

General guidelines should suffice for people with a genius for improvisation.

Improvisation best suited the economic life of a gypsy.

Performing with this group is full of improvisation.

Jazz solo piano improvisation seems to be experiencing a renaissance.

Necessity is the mother of invention, but disaster is the mother of improvisation.

The script is gritty and naturalistic, with authentic rhythms that come with improvisation from the cast.

Limb says that studying the brain during flights of improvisation may provide new understanding of creativity-as well.

Two guitarists sing in falsetto accompaniment by a violinist and improvisation is common.

His government has made mistakes, has an air of improvisation and lacks technical expertise.

Improvisation by dancers in performance is frequently a bore, if not a nightmare.

Full of improvisation and melody, you can still hear what it is that makes an audience play the tunes in their own heads.

And it is fun, watching a truly viral improvisation blossom before your eyes.

But experiences of culture prepare us for acts of improvisation by getting us used to the idea of enjoying uncertainty.

Today's piece is less of a snobbish improvisation for society's elite than a raffish riff for the riffraff.

Williams is a singularly gifted comic actor and comedian, a master of dizzying improvisation.

The more familiar a dish, the more freighted the improvisation.

Improvisation was plentiful but the element of swing was left sort of lurking in the background.

Jordan, by contrast, knocked about in the realm of free improvisation.

Fight your way in among the myriad hipsters and hear some transcendent improvisation.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

improvisation (ˌɪmprəvaɪˈzeɪʃən)

—n
1.	the act or an instance of improvising
2.	a product of improvising; something improvised

improvisational

—*adj*

improvisatory

—*adj*

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

improvisation

1786, "act of improvising musically," from Fr. improvisation, from improviser "compose or say extemporaneously," from It. improvvisare, from improvviso "unforeseen, unprepared," from L. improvisus, from in- "not" + provisus "foreseen," also "provided," pp. of providere "foresee, provide" (see

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provide).

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"These are days when no one should rely unduly on his "competence." Strength lies in improvisation. All the decisive blows are struck left-handed."

-Walter Benjamin

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