improvise

play

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

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

See improvise defined for English-language learners

See improvise defined for kids

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

Luckily, much of the dancing during the Bollywood routine was improvised.

— julia sullivan, SELF, "I Tried 9 Unique Workout Classes to Try to Break Out of My Fitness Rut," 25 Aug. 2017
The collapsing chair was a test to see how well prospective employees could improvise.

— todd a. price, NOLA.com, "Anything Goes closed decades ago, but the staff will never forget it," 23 Aug. 2017
Reynolds and Jackson seem to be improvising in many of their scenes, which is when the film becomes entertaining.

— loey lockerby, kansascity, "Despite Reynolds and Jackson, ‘Hitman’s Bodyguard’ fires too many blanks," 17 Aug. 2017
What started in L.A. in 2010 has become a full-fledged phenomenon in iambic pentameter: based on a suggestion from the audience, the Chickspeare troupe improvise a full play in five acts in the style of one of the Bard’s comedies.

— marielle wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "The 5 Best Things to Do in L.A. This Weekend," 11 Aug. 2017
Grosdidier and her helpers improvised, turning a vacant building intended for training into an instant indoor shelter.

— idahostatesman, "Idaho house “was pretty much a kennel for 37 dogs.” Now Oregon shelter needs help.," 7 Aug. 2017
Soldiers on the ground reported mixing snow and melted chocolate bars in helmets to improvise a chocolate sorbet.

— matt siegel, The Atlantic, "How Ice Cream Helped America at War," 6 Aug. 2017
Correction: Prepare, of course, but also improvise.

— jim shahin, sacbee, "11 mistakes novice grillers make - and how to correct them," 25 July 2017
His relatively slight 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame and ability to improvise on running plays has drawn some comparisons to Manziel.

— david brandt, The Seattle Times, "SEC will roll out impressive group of young quarterbacks," 13 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year