improvisation

noun

im·​pro·​vi·​sa·​tion (ˌ)im-ˌprä-və-ˈzā-shən 

ˌim-prə-və-,

 also  ˌim-prə-(ˌ)vī-

1

: the act or art of improvising

2

: something (such as a musical or dramatic composition) improvised

improvisational

(ˌ)im-ˌprä-və-ˈzā-sh(ə-)nəl 

ˌim-prə-və-

 also  ˌim-prə-(ˌ)vī-

adjective

improvisationally adverb

Synonyms

• ad-lib
• extemporization
• impromptu
• improv

Examples of improvisation in a Sentence

that comedy skit was a totally unrehearsed improvisation

Recent Examples on the Web

The search for solutions led him to Peyton Watson at the five, an act of positional improvisation that somehow worked against Miami. —Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2024

The mood was one of happy improvisation, a sort of aristocratic Fawlty Towers art-directed by Slim Aarons. —Nick Foulkes, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024

The pair’s chemistry was electric, with Nicholson’s talent for improvisation inspiring MacLaine to let loose on-screen. —Brent Lang, Variety, 28 Oct. 2024

Jazz thrives on improvisation, and so should our businesses. —Ariel Katz, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

improvisation

noun

im·​pro·​vi·​sa·​tion (ˌ)im-ˌpräv-ə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌim-prə-və-

1

: the act or art of improvising

2

: something that is improvised

improvisational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective