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

With Keith's time on set strictly limited, every episode had to be fully prepared before filming even began, leaving little room for improvisation once cameras rolled. —Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026

Most industrial workflows were designed around human flexibility, improvisation, and self-directedness. —Robert Ambrose, Fortune, 23 May 2026

Business becomes less of a classic orchestra and more like a jazz band, characterized by collective improvisation of different players. —Naira Velumyan, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026

Because while Sting didn’t radically reinvent many of these songs, the three men repeatedly extended songs through instrumental passages to go along with Sting’s free-form vocal improvisation. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2026

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