ad hoc

1 of 2

adjective

ˈad-ˈhäk  -ˈhōk 

ˈäd-ˈhōk

1

a

: concerned with a particular end or purpose

an ad hoc investigating committee

b

: formed or used for specific or immediate problems or needs

ad hoc solutions

2

: fashioned from whatever is immediately available : improvised

On his desk sits an ad hoc model rocket, jerry-rigged together from a paper clip and an old pencil eraser.

—John Semley

ad hoc

2 of 2

adverb

: for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application

The decisions were made ad hoc.

Did you know?

In Latin ad hoc literally means "for this," and in English the term describes anything that can be thought of as existing "for this purpose only." For example, an ad hoc committee is generally authorized to look into a single matter of limited scope, not to broadly pursue any issue of interest. Ad hoc can also be used as an adverb meaning "for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application," as in "decisions were made ad hoc."

Synonyms of ad hoc

Adjective

• impromptu
• improvised
• improvisational

Examples of ad hoc in a Sentence

Adjective

The mayor appointed an ad hoc committee to study the project.

We had to make some ad hoc changes to the plans.

We'll hire more staff on an ad hoc basis.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Bryan spends long swaths of time there, writing from a 1970s Pierre Chapo chair that has the ad hoc look of a backyard woodworking project. — Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026

Gowanus is hardly the only postindustrial New York neighborhood rife with toxic waste — in Williamsburg and Greenpoint, the extent of toxic contamination is still being uncovered and mitigated in an ad hoc fashion. — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026

Pillay currently serves as an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice, the highest court of the United Nations, in the ongoing genocide case against Myanmar. — Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Their Multinational Military Mission, an ad hoc coalition to clear mines and secure the Strait of Hormuz, is competing for European naval resources. — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

derivative of ad hoc entry 2

Adverb

borrowed from Latin, "for this"

First Known Use

Adjective

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1639, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ad hoc

• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock
• boardwalk
• catwalk
• cornstalk
• crosswalk
• deadlock
• feedstock
• fetlock
• flintlock
• goshawk

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Legal Definition

ad hoc

1 of 2 adverb

ˈad-ˈhäk, -ˈhōk; ˈäd-ˈhōk 

: for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application

ad hoc

2 of 2 adjective

1

: concerned with a particular end or purpose

an ad hoc investigating committee

2

: formed or used for specific or immediate problems or needs

ad hoc solutions

Etymology

Adverb

Latin, for this