unrehearsed

adjective

un·​re·​hearsed ˌən-ri-ˈhərst How to pronounce unrehearsed (audio)
: not practiced or prepared : not rehearsed : spontaneous
an honest and unrehearsed response
a performance that was largely unrehearsed

Examples of unrehearsed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web To anyone else, the embrace between Mr. Kelce and Ms. Swift looked like a tender, unrehearsed moment celebrating the culmination of a monthslong journey. Billy Witz, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2024 Then came the unrehearsed and classic cadence-call finish, one that will forever be his signature call and Zenyatta’s moment. Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2023 Are your hilarious eyebrow-raising looks directly into camera unrehearsed? Margy Rochlin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2023 The short recording of a verse in English, unrehearsed and something of a surprise for Gilberto, launched her to international superstardom, with the album going on to win four Grammys. Dan Heching, CNN, 6 June 2023 The content is completely unrehearsed, just like live improv theater, and the combination of suggestions from the listeners and creative choices from the performers can be totally unpredictable. Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 12 May 2023 Queen Victoria’s coronation in 1838 went unrehearsed. Sathnam Sanghera, wsj.com, 5 May 2023 Scientists identify secret ingredient in Leonardo da Vinci paintings Whether Lizzy is confronting Jo or chiding her dad, played by a charming Judd Hirsch, the film's conversations and low-stakes spats crackle in their realism, with Williams and the rest of the cast working unrehearsed. Thomas Page, Cnn, CNN, 8 Apr. 2023 Michael Louis Cusimano — who gallantly stepped into the show, unrehearsed, just days before opening night after an actor was injured — plays the doomed heir Charles Baskerville and his heir, American cowboy Henry Baskerville, as well as a washerwoman, police inspector, tobacco salesman and more. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2022

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

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unrehearsed was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near unrehearsed

Cite this Entry

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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