improv

adjective

im·​prov ˈim-ˌpräv How to pronounce improv (audio)
: of, relating to, or being improvisation and especially an improvised comedy routine
improv noun

Examples of improv in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Other highlights of the season included Billie Eilish and Finneas writing songs with the kids and Kenan Thompson teaching improv comedy. Selome Hailu, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025 During his time in Fort Worth, Culhane was a member of TCU’s Student Filmmakers Association and improv troupe Senseless Acts of Comedy. Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2025 Sounds like a fair trade, not to mention a good opportunity for Dexter to practice his improv skills. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025 All three are stand-up comedians rather than improv/sketch performers, and all three are relatively recent hires—a surprising trend at a time when the show’s cast is driven by veterans of five years or more, including Bowen Yang, Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, Mikey Day and Kenan Thompson. Dave Paulson, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for improv

Word History

Etymology

short for improvisation

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of improv was in 1978

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Cite this Entry

“Improv.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improv. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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