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
im·pro·vis·er
variants
or improvisor
plural -s
: one that improvises
Examples of improvise in a Sentence
Verb
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
Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
That turn of phrase, which gives both the band’s eighth album and lead track its title, This Mirror Weighs a Ton, frankly doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, and that’s sort of the point since Banks came up with it while improvising the melodies and vocals simultaneously.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2026
Just like the show's writers, movers know how to improvise.
—Noel Brennan, CBS News, 9 June 2026
No two film or TV shoots are alike, as each director and team of department heads have to find their own unique rhythm that falls somewhere on a spectrum between meticulous storyboarding and completely improvising on set.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for improvise
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Verb
The show, partly scripted and partly improvised, relies heavily on audience participation and a willingness to be vulnerable.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
That turn of phrase, which gives both the band’s eighth album and lead track its title, This Mirror Weighs a Ton, frankly doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, and that’s sort of the point since Banks came up with it while improvising the melodies and vocals simultaneously.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2026
Just like the show's writers, movers know how to improvise.
—Noel Brennan, CBS News, 9 June 2026
No two film or TV shoots are alike, as each director and team of department heads have to find their own unique rhythm that falls somewhere on a spectrum between meticulous storyboarding and completely improvising on set.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for improvise
Cite this Entry
“Improvise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improvise. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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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