improvise

verb

im·​pro·​vise ˈim-prə-ˌvīz 

 also  ˌim-prə-ˈvīz

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 noun

or improvisor

ˈim-prə-ˌvī-zər 

ˌim-prə-ˈvī-

Synonyms

• devise
• concoct
• extemporize

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 on the Web

The Godfather filmmaker took a workshop-like approach to Megalopolis, encouraging actors to improvise within a loose script, as Figgis’ documentary shows. —Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025

The works of Rower’s grandfather, taken together, have an accidental, artisanal air—more like toys improvised and reassembled than objects weighed down by deliberation. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025

Since 2022, Wysocki has established himself as social media’s favorite cast member on Make Some Noise, Dropout’s game show in which contestants are rewarded points for improvising scenes based on comedic prompts. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025

Apatow likes to point out, swelling with pride, that then-8-year-old Maude completely improvised her character’s hilarious explanation of where babies come from in Knocked Up. —Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for improvise

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

improvise

verb

im·​pro·​vise ˌim-prə-ˈvīz 

ˈim-prə-ˌvīz

improvised; improvising

1

: to compose, recite, play, or sing without preparation

2

: to make, invent, or arrange on the spur of the moment or without planning

the quarterback improvised a play

3

: to make out of what is conveniently on hand

improvise a bed from leaves and straw

improviser noun

or improvisor

-ˈvī-zər,

-ˌvī-