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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.”
Examples of impromptu in a Sentence
Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Langer said the cast received fan art and impromptu letters from the students recounting their experiences.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
The three-day Nashville event (like the position) has grown in popularity and recognition — especially so after Taylor Swift, the most famous pop star on the planet who also happens to be engaged to Kelce, gave an impromptu performance at one of its parties last summer.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
The only meeting that could possibly eclipse the Xi summit would be an impromptu reunion with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Impromptu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impromptu. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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