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.”
Examples of impromptu in a Sentence
Austin Turner, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Originally, the family intended to launch the second one in Palm Beach, Florida, but when a real estate deal fell through, Bataller Parietti and his eldest son went on an impromptu father-son trip to Mexico, which ultimately led them to the land on which SHA Mexico now sits.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026
His content is best known for his spontaneous interactions, such as stopping to talk with strangers on the roadside or offering impromptu taxi services.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2026
In fact, we’re tempted to use it as an impromptu side table, thanks to the smooth and sturdy wooden lid.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 20 Apr. 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 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
