improvise
Use Improvise in a sentence
prəˌvaɪz verb (used with object)
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)
4.
to compose, utter, execute, or arrange anything extemporaneously: When the actor forgot his lines he had to improvise.
Origin:
1820–30; < French improviser, or its source, Italian improvisare (later improvvisare), verbal derivative of improviso improvised < Latin imprōvīsus, equivalent to im- im-2 + prōvīsus past participle of prōvidēre to see beforehand, prepare, provide for (a future circumstance). See proviso
1820–30; < French improviser, or its source, Italian improvisare (later improvvisare), verbal derivative of improviso improvised < Latin imprōvīsus, equivalent to im- im-2 + prōvīsus past participle of prōvidēre to see beforehand, prepare, provide for (a future circumstance). See proviso
Related forms
im·pro·vis·er, im·pro·vi·sor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To improvise
00:10
Improvise
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is fletcherise. Does it mean:
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
| to flee; abscond: |
Collins
World English Dictionary
improvise (ˈɪmprəˌvaɪz) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 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 |
| [C19: from French, from Italian improvvisare, from Latin imprōvīsus unforeseen, from | |
| 'improviser | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
improvise
1826, from Fr. improviser (17c.), from It. improvisare "to sing or speak extempore," from improviso, from L. improvisus "unforeseen, unexpected" (see improvisation).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
Musicologists showed interest, although the band's sprawling repertoire and tendency to improvise posed a significant challenge.
The students have been encouraged to improvise, in part as a way of building their self-confidence.
One last piece of gear that many anglers improvise or purchase contributes to both enjoyment and safety.
They have a versatile quarterback who can improvise.
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