improvise

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

Updated on: 22 May 2018

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

In rehearsal, Alexander, playing George as being transfixed on his personal peep show, improvised throwing a box of Tic Tacs at her.

— marc freeman, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Seinfeld' Finale at 20: Hidden Tales From the Vault of a Comedian's Bizarro World," 13 May 2018
As the band grooved to their wavy single, Levine improvised a few runs and some sultry falsetto that made for an all-around flawless performance.

— taylor weatherby, Billboard, "Maroon 5 Performs Colorful Rendition of 'Wait' at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards," 11 Mar. 2018
In a panic Yurovsky improvised a new plan, leaving the bodies and rushing into Ekaterinburg for supplies.

— simon sebag montefiore, Town & Country, "The Devastating True Story of the Romanov Family's Execution," 5 Oct. 2016
Roosevelt tried to improvise, but his legendary diplomatic skills failed him.

— jay winik, WSJ, "Summitry Can Be Risky Business," 3 May 2018
But Lin believed in adventure; his life had taught him how to improvise.

— caille millner, San Francisco Chronicle, "For the singular Tawei Lin, art fed the soul," 30 Mar. 2018
Kiffin has compared him to Heisman Trophy winner and first-round NFL draft pick Johnny Manziel because of his ability to improvise in the pocket.

— shandel richardson, Sun-Sentinel.com, "FAU coach Lane Kiffin expects quarterback competition to linger until fall camp," 29 Mar. 2018
Their output is entirely improvised, but the players carefully navigate space together to create their spontaneous melodic fragments and sophisticated counterpoint.

— peter margasak, Chicago Reader, "Jazz / Music / Post No Bills Improvising horn trio Spectral play with the colossal reverb in an abandoned munitions bunker," 18 Apr. 2018
Nair hopped on stage and improvised with him for two songs.

— aaron carnes, sacbee, "This partnership fuses Sanskrit and jazz as it seeks a universal peace | The Sacramento Bee," 13 Apr. 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