improvise

verb im·pro·vise \ ˈim-prə-ˌvīz also ˌim-prə-ˈvīz \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 2018

Examples: improvise in a Sentence

Definition of improvise

improvised; improvising

transitive verb

1 : to compose, recite, play, or sing extemporaneously

2 : to make, invent, or arrange offhand

the quarterback improvised a play

3 : to make or fabricate out of what is conveniently on hand

improvise a meal

intransitive verb

: to improvise something

—

improviser

or improvisor play \ˈim-prə-ˌvī-zər, ˌim-prə-ˈvī-\ noun

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Examples of improvise in a Sentence

If you forget any of your lines, try to improvise.
Good jazz musicians know how to improvise.
He had to improvise his opening speech when he forgot his notes.
The trumpet player performed an improvised solo.
I wasn't expecting guests, so I had to improvise a meal with what I had in my refrigerator.

Recent Examples of improvise from the Web

British cave-divers improvised underwater breathing equipment with a bicycle pump and garden hose in the 1930s, and broadcast a BBC radio programme from an underwater cavern in Somerset.

— The Economist, "A cave rescue in Thailand shows Britain’s skill at spelunking," 11 July 2018
There’s not a ton of structure to the play, but seeing how players improvise and learn to play together with limited amounts of time to prepare can be telling.

— jeremy woo, SI.com, "Rookie Report Cards: The Most Noteworthy Summer League Showings," 11 July 2018
Unlike an authoritarian politico ruling by whimsy, the poet working with the American sonnet must identify her métier, improvise rhyme and meter, and communicate resolutions in order to rule the crown.

— walton muyumba, latimes.com, "The right poetry collection for right now: Terrance Hayes' 'American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin'," 14 June 2018
On this tune the tenor saxophonist Chad Lefkowitz-Brown improvises with a combination of breezy insouciance and sharp rhythmic assurance.

— jon pareles, New York Times, "The Playlist: The 1975 Talk About Its Generation, and 9 More New Songs," 1 June 2018
The dialogue completely improvised by the Holy Father and was and shot in only a half-hour's time at the Vatican.

— mia galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, "Indie Helmer on Pope Francis' Acting Debut: "He Was the One Directing Me"," 14 May 2018
Fran was an amazing cook who tackled every recipe but often improvised with own her creative touch.

— courant.com, "Frances Marie Aniela Sledzik," 18 Mar. 2018
There was also no formal disaster plan for the region, and cellular communications throughout Nepal were knocked out, leaving the survivors on-site to improvise a response.

— alex hutchinson, Outside Online, "The Devastating Aftermath of an Avalanche on Everest," 6 July 2018
The seating outside is pretty much improvised, with fans perching on concrete ledges and rails.

— dewayne bevil, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orlando attractions kick up options for World Cup," 19 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of improvise

French improviser, from Italian improvvisare, from improvviso sudden, from Latin improvisus, literally, unforeseen, from in- + provisus, past participle of providēre to see ahead — more at provide

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1788

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year