ad-lib

1 of 3

verb

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
According to Patton Oswalt, the cast would ad-lib jokes for Reynolds to say to Blade in Snipes’s absence. Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2024 But little did Pearson know, Key would one-up these references with an ad-lib. Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Oct. 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 See all Example Sentences for ad-lib 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ad-lib was in 1791

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near ad-lib

Cite this Entry

“Ad-lib.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ad-lib. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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
: made or done spontaneously : not controlled by a schedule
ad-lib feeding of animals

ad lib

2 of 2 adverb
: without restraint or imposed limit : as much or as often as is wanted
the animals were given water ad libScience
often used in writing prescriptions

More from Merriam-Webster on ad-lib

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!