Main Entry: im·pro·vise

Pronunciation: \ˈim-prə-ˌvīz also ˌim-prə-ˈ\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): im·pro·vised; im·pro·vis·ing

Etymology: French improviser, from Italian improvvisare, from improvviso sudden, from Latin improvisus, literally, unforeseen, from in- + provisus, past participle of providēre to see ahead — more at provide

Date: 1826

transitive verb 1 : to compose, recite, play, or sing extemporaneously
2 : to make, invent, or arrange offhand
3 : to make or fabricate out of what is conveniently on hand <improvise a meal>intransitive verb : to improvise something

— im·pro·vis·er or im·pro·vi·sor \-ˌvī-zər, -ˈvī-\ noun