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

Last year, the singer and composer linked up with Vijay Iyer and Shahzad Ismaily for their joint album Love in Exile, which has a range of memorable improvisations. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 10 Dec. 2024

Like a genuine metropolis, the Met expanded according to grand plans that were rarely honored and frequently adjusted to conform with expediency and improvisation. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 Dec. 2024

It was choreographed, but there was improvisation inside the choreography. —Tomris Laffly, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024

There were improvisations, installations, adaptations and novel collaborations among musicians and artists and media, with Mother Nature ever in the picture. —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 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