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

• ad-lib
• extemporization
• impromptu
• improv

Examples of improvisation in a Sentence

that comedy skit was a totally unrehearsed improvisation

Recent Examples on the Web

Known for their fearless improvisation and genre-defying performances, the trio’s performance in a hall, on the grounds of a former convent, was a 45-minute, intense, non-stop wall of sound. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Tortoise, ‘Oganesson’ Since its formation in 1990, the Chicago instrumental band Tortoise has been blending jazz, rock, Minimalism, electronics and improvisation. —Jon Pareles, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

The people working on it were brilliant — Steve Carell’s improvisations and Greg Daniels’ story pitches and joke lines. —Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025

In general, autocratic countries struggle to make the kind of credible commitments that joint military planning requires, but a coordinated attack on U.S. interests in multiple regions might still emerge through improvisation. —Christopher S. Chivvis, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 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