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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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
Those comments, viewed dimly by some German politicians, prompted the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM), which bankrolls and oversees the Berlinale, to call an impromptu meeting to discuss the future of the Berlinale and Tricia Tuttle’s leadership as festival director.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 10 May 2026
In an impromptu speech, Michael tells his new friends at the bar how happy Richie is to be so in love and expecting.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The China summit, on May 14-15, will therefore serve as an impromptu target date for investors who are eager for an end to the war.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for impromptu
Cite this Entry
“Impromptu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impromptu. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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