improvisation

noun

im·​pro·​vi·​sa·​tion (ˌ)im-ˌprä-və-ˈzā-shən 

ˌim-prə-və-

also ˌim-prə-(ˌ)vī-

1

: the act or art of improvising

2

: something (such as a musical or dramatic composition) improvised

improvisational

(ˌ)im-ˌprä-və-ˈzā-sh(ə-)nəl 

ˌim-prə-və-

also ˌim-prə-(ˌ)vī-

adjective

improvisationally adverb

Synonyms of improvisation

• impromptu
• improv

Examples of improvisation in a Sentence

that comedy skit was a totally unrehearsed improvisation

Recent Examples on the Web

Today, Ivo is one of the most beloved male actors in Estonia, but that little vodka improvisation was actually one of his very first film roles. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2025

Full of creative improvisations and whirring beats, her first album since 2017’s Halo is both another forward step in her career and a great entry point for anyone who’s never listened to Molina. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2025

Perhaps the most striking shot in the kidnapping scene, filmed through the glass of Stone’s character’s modern home and across her indoor pool, was born from improvisation. —Tiana Denicola, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025

That swaps democratic ownership for judicial improvisation and guarantees more litigation as a strategy. —Bedassa Tadesse, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for improvisation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

improvisation

noun

im·​pro·​vi·​sa·​tion (ˌ)im-ˌpräv-ə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌim-prə-və-

1

: the act or art of improvising

2

: something that is improvised

improvisational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective