impromptu

1 of 2

adjective

im·​promp·​tu im-ˈpräm(p)-(ˌ)tü 

-(ˌ)tyü

1

: made, done, or formed on or as if on the spur of the moment : improvised

had an impromptu party

2

: composed or uttered without previous preparation : extemporaneous

impromptu remarks

impromptu adverb

impromptu

2 of 2

noun

1

: something that is impromptu

2

: a musical composition suggesting improvisation

Did you know?

Impromptu most often describes things, such as speeches or gatherings, that are not prepared ahead of time but that instead happen spontaneously. An impromptu concert or photoshoot, for example, is conceived and executed in the moment. Impromptu was borrowed—spelling, meaning, and all—from French in the mid-18th century. The French had gotten the word from Latin, from the phrase in promptu, meaning “in readiness.” But the presence of prompt in there is no coincidence: both impromptu and prompt are ultimately derived from the Latin promere, meaning “to bring forth, take out.”

Synonyms of impromptu

Adjective

• improvised
• improvisational

Noun

• improvisation

Examples of impromptu in a Sentence

Adjective

Two of my friends came by unexpectedly, and we had an impromptu little party in my kitchen.

He made an impromptu speech about honor and responsibility.

Noun

although five different lines had been written, the best choice turned out to be an impromptu from the tired actor himself

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Another meaningful message came from Perrin’s friend Ali Klein, who reflected on her ability to transform an impromptu idea into an experience that brought strangers together. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026

After meeting at a Neville Brothers crawfish boil, the pair wandered through the French Quarter, eventually trailed by an impromptu parade of Deadheads. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026

An impromptu grocery-store bouquet can easily brighten your (or just about anyone’s) day. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 4 Aug. 2026

An impromptu protest ensued outside the Tarrant County Commissioners Courtroom on Tuesday after County Judge Tim O’Hare kicked out all members of the public from the meeting for disrupting decorum. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from impromptu extemporaneously, from Latin in promptu in readiness

First Known Use

Adjective

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

impromptu

adjective

im·​promp·​tu

im-ˈpräm(p)-t(y)ü

: not prepared ahead of time : extemporaneous

an impromptu speech

impromptu adverb or noun