ad-lib

1 of 3

verb

ˈad-ˈlib 

ad-libbed; ad-libbing

transitive verb

: to deliver spontaneously

intransitive verb

: to improvise especially lines or a speech

ad-lib noun

ad-lib

2 of 3

adjective

: spoken, composed, or performed without preparation

ad lib

3 of 3

adverb

1

: in accordance with one's wishes

2

: without restraint or limit

Synonyms

Verb

• clap (together or up)
• extemporize
• fake
• improvise

Adjective

• ad hoc
• down and dirty
• extemporaneous
• extemporary
• extempore
• impromptu
• improvisational
• improvised
• off-the-cuff
• offhand
• offhanded
• snap
• spur-of-the-moment
• unconsidered
• unplanned
• unpremeditated
• unprepared
• unrehearsed
• unstudied

Examples of ad-lib in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The producers let Sorkin ad-lib some of her lines, adding a spontaneity to the usually glum proceedings. —Neil Genzlinger, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2023

When people ad-lib or give their acceptance speeches, the captioners are working from scratch. —Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 June 2023

And Grace recorded just an ad-lib vocal, and then went through and chopped it up and then built that chorus vocal chop riff thing. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2023

His creative starting point ranges from bass line, poem or even a one-off ad-lib in the kitchen on a weeknight. —Beatrice Hazlehurst, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2023

Adjective

He's given me a lot of leeway and a lot of leash to go improv and ad-lib and create the character, which is always really fun. —Devan Coggan, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2023

At the same time, more ad-lib moments are often expected onstage, bound to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. —Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Mar. 2023

Kimmel had to ad-lib when introducing the editing award. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 13 Mar. 2023

Adverb

But even when the speech texts make allowances for Biden’s limitations and his suppressed stutter, the president can still spoil everything with an undisciplined ad lib. —Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 19 Sep. 2023

Jenna Ortega is defending her choice to ad lib lines while filming Wednesday despite the backlash for doing so. —Alexis Jones, Peoplemag, 6 June 2023

The drive-by outburst wasn’t an ad lib. —Denise Martin, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2021

The actor decided to ad lib. —Julia MacCary, Variety, 1 Mar. 2023

That was a Mark [Ruffalo] ad lib! —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Aug. 2022

What’s the purpose of the ad lib? —Rob Tannenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2022

And was an ad lib. —Vulture, 21 Feb. 2022

So, fill in the gap and feel free to ad lib. —Nick Romano, EW.com, 10 May 2021

See More

Word History

Etymology

Verb

derivative of ad lib

Adjective

derivative of ad lib

Adverb

short for ad libitum entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1910, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Adjective

1819, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

ad-lib

1 of 3 verb

(ˈ)ad-ˈlib

ad-libbed; ad-libbing

: to improvise especially lines or a speech

ad-lib

2 of 3 adjective

: spoken, composed, or performed without preparation

an ad-lib speech

ad lib

3 of 3 adverb

: without restraint or limit

known for talking ad lib

Medical Definition

ad-lib

1 of 2 adjective

(ˈ)ad-ˈlib 

: made or done spontaneously : not controlled by a schedule

ad-lib feeding of animals

ad lib

2 of 2 adverb

(ˈ)ad-ˈlib 

: without restraint or imposed limit : as much or as often as is wanted

the animals were given water ad lib

—Science

—often used in writing prescriptions