impromptu

1 of 2

adjective

im·​promp·​tu im-ˈpräm(p)-(ˌ)tü How to pronounce impromptu (audio)
-(ˌ)tyü
1
: made, done, or formed on or as if on the spur of the moment : improvised
2
: composed or uttered without previous preparation : extemporaneous
impromptu adverb

impromptu

2 of 2

noun

1
: something that is impromptu
2
: a musical composition suggesting improvisation

Did you know?

Impromptu most often describes things, such as speeches or gatherings, that are not prepared ahead of time but that instead happen spontaneously. An impromptu concert or photoshoot, for example, is conceived and executed in the moment. Impromptu was borrowed—spelling, meaning, and all—from French in the mid-18th century. The French had gotten the word from Latin, from the phrase in promptu, meaning “in readiness.” But the presence of prompt in there is no coincidence: both impromptu and prompt are ultimately derived from the Latin promere, meaning “to bring forth, take out.”

Examples of impromptu in a Sentence

Adjective Two of my friends came by unexpectedly, and we had an impromptu little party in my kitchen. He made an impromptu speech about honor and responsibility. Noun although five different lines had been written, the best choice turned out to be an impromptu from the tired actor himself
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Were these song lyrics or an impromptu dedication to the crowd? Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2024 Keeping some unbaked scones in the freezer makes quick work for an impromptu brunch or a last-minute afternoon tea. Olga Massov, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 In a series of impromptu press conferences, the beret-wearing Barbecue swore to lead the country to civil war if the Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, did not resign. Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2024 Harking back to those erotic thrillers of yore, especially from the 1980s and 90s, writer-director Joy Wilkinson’s 7 Keys, her debut feature, starts out full of promise and potential — much like the impromptu hook-up that gets the plot rolling. Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 As the call to prayer sounded inside Al Aqsa, Yousef, the 13-year-old, joined an impromptu gathering of dozens of young men who couldn’t get in. Raja Abdulrahim, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024 Over 400 Russian supporters of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died last week in an Arctic prison, have been arrested for paying tributes as modest as laying flowers at the impromptu memorials that have sprung up across the country, a Russian rights group reported Sunday. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 In the video, the Disney alum wore an oversized T-shirt with various dinosaurs and a black cozy sweater for the impromptu concert. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 21 Feb. 2024 Quality time is your favorite bonding experience—so try surprising your pals with an impromptu get-together. Essence, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impromptu.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from impromptu extemporaneously, from Latin in promptu in readiness

First Known Use

Adjective

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of impromptu was in 1683

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Dictionary Entries Near impromptu

Cite this Entry

“Impromptu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impromptu. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

impromptu

adjective
im·​promp·​tu
im-ˈpräm(p)-t(y)ü
: not prepared ahead of time : extemporaneous
an impromptu speech
impromptu adverb or noun

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