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

• impromptu
• improv

Examples of improvisation in a Sentence

that comedy skit was a totally unrehearsed improvisation

Recent Examples on the Web

At a post-screening Q&A following the film‘s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Ansari and Reeves described working on the jokes at Ansari’s home through live readings and improvisation. —Beandrea July, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025

On another project, Dutch audiovisual experts collaborated with French-only contractors, a mix that required not just translation, but diplomacy and improvisation. —Nathanael Bondu, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025

Rather than traditional auditions, Yoon conducted improvisation workshops where actors didn’t initially know their roles. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025

The fights encouraged improvisation, with Bond shooting guns and throwing them (and other objects in the environment) at enemies. —Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 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