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 of improvisation

• impromptu
• improv

Examples of improvisation in a Sentence

that comedy skit was a totally unrehearsed improvisation

Recent Examples on the Web

Teaching nursery school during the day, Forti spent her evenings studying improvisation and composition at night at the Merce Cunningham Studio under musicologist Robert Ellis Dunn, who introduced her to the work of avant-garde composer John Cage. — News Desk, Artforum, 29 July 2026

Research shows that improvisation and creativity are good for the brain. — Karen Barrett, The Conversation, 29 July 2026

The new style of play, which had been rapidly developed and refined during the World Cup, was no longer seen as an improvisation, but rather as yet another stroke of genius from De la Fuente and his players. — Juan Claudio Matossian, Vanity Fair, 19 July 2026

Apart from the setting, and some idea of a forward time shift, Nunez began writing the piece and left the rest to improvisation. — Literary Hub, 14 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for improvisation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

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