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ad lib
1[ ad lib, ad ]
noun
- something improvised in speech, music, etc.:
Was that joke part of your speech or an ad lib?
adverb
- at one's pleasure; without restriction.
- freely; as needed; without stint:
Water can be given to the patients ad lib.
ad lib.
2abbreviation for
ad-lib
3[ ad-lib, ad- ]
verb (used with object)
- to improvise all or part of (a speech, a piece of music, etc.):
to ad-lib one's lines.
verb (used without object)
- to act, speak, etc., without preparation:
Throughout the play he had to ad-lib constantly.
adjective
- impromptu; extemporaneous:
ad-lib remarks to hecklers.
ad-lib
/ ædˈlɪb /
verb
- to improvise and deliver without preparation (a speech, musical performance, etc)
adjective
- improvised; impromptu
adverb
- without restraint; freely
- See ad libitummusic short for ad libitum
noun
- an improvised performance, often humorous
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Derived Forms
- ad-ˈlibber, noun
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Other Words From
- ad-libber noun
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Word History and Origins
Origin of ad lib1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of ad lib1
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Example Sentences
They told me to forget the script because I was going to have to ad-lib everything.
But the prince also proved he could warm up the weather with a clever ad lib.
Now Guttentag encourages us to forget about the script and ad lib the scene.
I had a brilliant ad lib as I came to: “I think I passed out.”
It consisted of a monologue delivered by the poisonous young woman to the macaw, occasionally varied by ad lib.
This goes on ad lib., and we were soothed to sleep by those wild yells.
Even here, in an embarrassing situation calling for lines spoken ad lib.
Well, you look here, my bloke: I'll have fizz ad lib., or it won't wash.
"I needed a job awful bad," I answered sullenly, knowing it sounded like an ad lib.
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