improvisation

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

How to pronounce improvisation (audio)

, ˌim-prə-və- also ˌim-prə-(ˌ)vī- \

Definition of improvisation

1 : the act or art of improvising

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

Other Words from improvisation Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about improvisation

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Examples of improvisation in a Sentence

that comedy skit was a totally unrehearsed improvisation

Recent Examples on the Web Interspersed with scenes of feverish jazz improvisation, the film depicts a culture all too rarely represented in American cinema. — Jordan Cronk, The Hollywood Reporter, "Critic's Picks: A February To-Do List for Film Buffs in L.A.," 3 Feb. 2020 Yet the dramatic piano solo that followed became a forum for vibrant jazz improvisation, Roberts interjecting his own thematic material, then leading his trio in a wholly new section suggesting a late-night blues reverie. — Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago Philharmonic review: Marcus Roberts jazzes Gershwin’s Concerto in F," 6 Dec. 2019 The work takes the form of a structured improvisation, which begins with barely audible sounds but does reach peaks of intensity, using such materials as fishing line, a dog whistle and the inner tube of a tire. — New York Times, "Burning Pianos and Whispering Rivers: A Composer’s Journey," 8 Nov. 2019 Bryson Lang incorporates audience participation, ball bouncing and spinning, juggling, improvisation, glow-in-the-dark objects, giant beach balls, and exciting surprises into every show. — courant.com, "Community News For The Enfield Edition," 5 June 2019 That energy made for an improvisation-heavy set, in which Lum would pepper her costars with lines, each more ridiculous than the last, until one sticks. — Isaac Feldberg, Fortune, "‘Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens’ team: Asian-American representation is not a ‘fad’," 22 Jan. 2020 The poster for Ghost, 1990’s top grossing movie, a romance starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore, is a great example of artistic improvisation while foregrounding local tastes and mores. — Anakwa Dwamena, The New York Review of Books, "Ghana’s Handmade Movie Poster Boom," 18 Jan. 2020 But the interactive performance, which has taken place in Cleveland regularly since 1996, involves improvisation based on audience participation, often leading to hilarious results. — Anne Nickoloff, cleveland, "15 things to do in Cleveland on Saturday, Jan. 18," 18 Jan. 2020 The jokes, immediately recognizable to an audience steeped in the subtleties of improvisation, playing the dozens and rich oral tradition, hit big. — Ann Hornaday, Houston Chronicle, "Eddie Murphy’s back, baby, in ‘Dolemite Is My Name’," 16 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'improvisation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near improvisation

improvidentially

Statistics for improvisation

Last Updated

10 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Improvisation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improvisational?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=i&file=improv08. Accessed 23 Feb. 2020.

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