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

The parking lot was full Monday at a large park in Fountain Valley, just southwest of Garden Grove, as people sought refuge in an ad hoc shelter there or pitched tents outside. —ABC News, 26 May 2026

In approving the ad hoc committee, several council members referenced a May 9 incident on the Huntington Beach boardwalk, in which a group of teenage bikers assaulted a business owner, according to news reports. —Claire Wang, Oc Register, 26 May 2026

Without a coherent federal framework, patients in underserved areas will keep waiting for care that AI could safely deliver, while states cycle through ad hoc deployments and predictable backlash. —Alon Bergman, STAT, 11 May 2026

Both are ad hoc and incomplete. —Evan Johnson, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 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