Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
improvise - 4 dictionary results

im⋅pro⋅vise

  [im-pruh-vahyz] verb, -vised, -vis⋅ing.
Use improvise in a Sentence
–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; < F improviser, or its source, It improvisare (later improvvisare), v. deriv. of improviso improvised < L imprōvīsus, equiv. to im- im- 2 + prōvīsus ptp. 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. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To improvise
im·pro·vise   (ĭm'prə-vīz')   
v.   im·pro·vised, im·pro·vis·ing, im·pro·vis·es

v.   tr.
  1. To invent, compose, or perform with little or no preparation.
  2. To play or sing (music) extemporaneously, especially by inventing variations on a melody or creating new melodies in accordance with a set progression of chords.
  3. To make or provide from available materials: improvised a dinner from what I found in the refrigerator.
v.   intr.
  1. To invent, compose, or perform something extemporaneously.
  2. To improvise music.
  3. To make do with whatever materials are at hand.

[French improviser, from Italian improvvisare, from improvviso, unforeseen, from Latin imprōvīsus : in-, not; see in-1 + prōvīsus, past participle of prōvidēre, to foresee; see provide.]
im'pro·vis'er, im'pro·vi'sor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Improvise

Im`pro*vise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Improvised; p. pr. & vb. n. Improvising.] [F. improviser, it. improvvisare, fr. improvviso unprovided, sudden, extempore, L. improvisus; pref. im- not + provisus foreseen, provided. See Proviso.]

1. To compose, recite, or sing extemporaneously, especially in verse; to extemporize; also, to play upon an instrument, or to act, extemporaneously.

2. To bring about, arrange, or make, on a sudden, or without previous preparation.

Charles attempted to improvise a peace. --Motley.

3. To invent, or provide, offhand, or on the spur of the moment; as, he improvised a hammer out of a stone.

Improvise

Im`pro*vise"\, v. i. To produce or render extemporaneous compositions, especially in verse or in music, without previous preparation; hence, to do anything offhand.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Language Translation for : improvise
Spanish: improvisar,
German: improvisieren,
Japanese: 即興でする
More Translations »
Search another word or see improvise on Thesaurus | Reference