improvisation

noun

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

ˌim-prə-və-,

also ˌim-prə-(ˌ)vī-

Synonyms of improvisation next

: the act or art of improvising

: 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

Example Sentences

that comedy skit was a totally unrehearsed improvisation

Recent Examples on the Web My writing lends itself to improvisation, and there’s plenty of ad libbing going on. —

Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 June 2022 Over the course of two days, the team managed to film scenes full of improvisation and Easter eggs that nod to the Carrera’s illustrious past. —

Isaiah Freeman-schub, Robb Report, 21 Apr. 2023 Could be the devil, although the improvisations in red to either side of the animal’s face seem to contain a crucifixion or two. —

Roberta Smith, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2023 The program will take place at Ackerman Park with comedy coaching through improvisation basics, fund mind games and interactive play. —

Corey Schmidt, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2023 According to the company, S2 examines quarterback prospects on nine different cognitive skills: perception speed, search efficiency, tracking capacity, visual learning, instinctive learning, decision complexity, distraction control, impulse control and improvisation. —

Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Apr. 2023 Not beholden to theories, with omnivorous musical tastes, equally at home in concert music and improvisation, Zorn is one of the key American composers of his generation, yet his concert music has not really found its way into programming — at least here in San Diego. —

Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2023 Stotts’ other ventures into the world of entertainment include studying improvisation at the Annoyance Theater and The Second City, and performing as the frontwoman of the funk-blues band Chubby Nothin’ and the Bone, for which the band members wrote and performed original music. —

Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2023 The longtime cooperative of saxophonist Tony Malaby, pianist Angelica Sanchez, and drummer Tom Rainey has forged a near-telepathic musical communion that confounds notions of composition and improvisation. —

BostonGlobe.com, 19 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'improvisation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.