ad-lib

1 of 3

verb

ˈad-ˈlib 

ad-libbed; ad-libbing

transitive verb

: to deliver spontaneously

intransitive verb

: to improvise especially lines or a speech

ad-lib noun

ad-lib

2 of 3

adjective

: spoken, composed, or performed without preparation

ad lib

3 of 3

adverb

1

: in accordance with one's wishes

2

: without restraint or limit

Synonyms

Verb

• clap (together or up)
• extemporize
• fake
• improvise

Adjective

• ad hoc
• down and dirty
• extemporaneous
• extemporary
• extempore
• impromptu
• improvisational
• improvised
• off-the-cuff
• offhand
• offhanded
• snap
• spur-of-the-moment
• unconsidered
• unplanned
• unpremeditated
• unprepared
• unrehearsed
• unstudied

Examples of ad-lib in a Sentence

Verb

had to ad-lib constructing a piñata because she'd never actually seen it being done

Adjective

not bad for an ad-lib comedy routine

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But little did Pearson know, Key would one-up these references with an ad-lib. —Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Oct. 2024

McCall’s ad-lib joke about beetles (as in the insect) got them the biggest laugh. —Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2024

Adjective

He's given me a lot of leeway and a lot of leash to go improv and ad-lib and create the character, which is always really fun. —Devan Coggan, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2023

At the same time, more ad-lib moments are often expected onstage, bound to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. —Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Mar. 2023

Adverb

Rich delved into the president’s self-abasing effort to walk back the strongest moment of his State of the Union address — an ad lib ... —Noah Rothman, National Review, 11 Mar. 2024

But even when the speech texts make allowances for Biden’s limitations and his suppressed stutter, the president can still spoil everything with an undisciplined ad lib. —Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 19 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Verb

derivative of ad lib

Adjective

derivative of ad lib

Adverb

short for ad libitum entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1910, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Adjective

1819, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

ad-lib

1 of 3 verb

(ˈ)ad-ˈlib

ad-libbed; ad-libbing

: to improvise especially lines or a speech

ad-lib

2 of 3 adjective

: spoken, composed, or performed without preparation

an ad-lib speech

ad lib

3 of 3 adverb

: without restraint or limit

known for talking ad lib

Medical Definition

ad-lib

1 of 2 adjective

(ˈ)ad-ˈlib 

: made or done spontaneously : not controlled by a schedule

ad-lib feeding of animals

ad lib

2 of 2 adverb

(ˈ)ad-ˈlib 

: without restraint or imposed limit : as much or as often as is wanted

the animals were given water ad lib

—Science

—often used in writing prescriptions