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

Baumeister is also creating a piece in the Murphy throughout the residency, with open rehearsals on May 6 and 8, a four-hour solo improvisation on May 7, and a performance with collaborator Jenna Weatherbie on May 9. —Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026

Iran is exposing the limits of a presidency built on bluff, improvisation and submission rituals. —Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2026

The house did not have a European or East Coast seriousness, but rather a Californian dimension rooted in casualness, improvisation, and lack of pretension. —Rem Koolhaas, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026

Like musicians who leave room for recording-studio improvisation, Pierce & Ward embrace last-minute tweaks. —Laura Regensdorf, Architectural Digest, 25 Mar. 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