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 men did not have proper equipment for a badminton match but improvised. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2025

In it, Coppola challenges Plaza to improvise a line and rehearse it over and over as different characters. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025

During this time, my contemporaries have advanced the field of innovation, improvising new tools and metrics that help organizations and their leaders increase the input, throughput, and output of fresh, value-adding ideas. —Robert B. Tucker, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

With the latest advance for wantaway Brentford forward Yoane Wissa batted away again Wednesday, Howe will have to improvise again against Liverpool. —Jack Bantock, New York Times, 25 Aug. 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-