improvise
verb
im·pro·vise
ˈim-prə-ˌvīz 
also ˌim-prə-ˈvīz
improvised; improvising
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
: to improvise something
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
Memorized lines were occasionally flubbed, there were awkward pauses, and the actors often improvised to cover the gaffes, all of which created a spirit of camaraderie in the cast.
—
Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2024
The event is all about the athlete's adaptability to improvise to the beat of the DJ's tracks.
—The Indianapolis Star, 17 Apr. 2024
The work is glorious in myriad ways: clever and practical, insightful and improvised.
—Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024
But all that stuff is just listening and improvising and trying to create your own little lane to play in.
—Ben Rosenstock, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
Do not use homemade filters or improvised viewing devices: Ordinary sunglasses, smoked glass and similar items do not protect your eyes during an eclipse.
—The Arizona Republic, 3 Apr. 2024
In December 2023, Lang Lang improvised with keyboardist/singer Alicia Keys.
—Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
Davis improvised some solos when the moment was right, to the delight of the crowd.
—Jake Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2024
Their wedding was a spontaneous and improvised affair — something only two actors would have had.
—Thessaly La Force, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2024
The event is all about the athlete's adaptability to improvise to the beat of the DJ's tracks.
—The Indianapolis Star, 17 Apr. 2024
The work is glorious in myriad ways: clever and practical, insightful and improvised.
—Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024
But all that stuff is just listening and improvising and trying to create your own little lane to play in.
—Ben Rosenstock, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
Do not use homemade filters or improvised viewing devices: Ordinary sunglasses, smoked glass and similar items do not protect your eyes during an eclipse.
—The Arizona Republic, 3 Apr. 2024
In December 2023, Lang Lang improvised with keyboardist/singer Alicia Keys.
—Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
Davis improvised some solos when the moment was right, to the delight of the crowd.
—Jake Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2024
Their wedding was a spontaneous and improvised affair — something only two actors would have had.
—Thessaly La Force, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'improvise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near improvise
Cite this Entry
“Improvise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improvise. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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-
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