improvisation

noun

im·​pro·​vi·​sa·​tion (ˌ)im-ˌprä-və-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce improvisation (audio)
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 How to pronounce improvisation (audio)
ˌim-prə-və-
 also  ˌim-prə-(ˌ)vī-
adjective
improvisationally adverb

Examples of improvisation in a Sentence

that comedy skit was a totally unrehearsed improvisation
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That improvisation made its way into the film’s killer final sequence, as how the alien was set to die had yet to be determined. Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025 What level of improvisation was part of this film? Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2025 Blending fiction, improvisation, and documentary-style shooting on the streets of Madrid, the film delves into the quiet intimacy of daily life, revealing how fragility, solitude and humor coexist in those attempting to rebuild themselves far from home. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025 Her education was a synthesis of Classical and Romantic, with the Scottish grounding in logic, reason and intellectual persuasion given a fillip by the improvisations of Miss Christina Kay. Frances Wilson september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for improvisation

Word History

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of improvisation was in 1777

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Cite this Entry

“Improvisation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improvisation. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

improvisation

noun
im·​pro·​vi·​sa·​tion (ˌ)im-ˌpräv-ə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce improvisation (audio)
ˌim-prə-və-
1
: the act or art of improvising
2
: something that is improvised
improvisational
-shnəl How to pronounce improvisation (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on improvisation

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