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Impromptu most often describes things, such as speeches or gatherings, that are not prepared ahead of time but that instead happen spontaneously. An impromptu concert or photoshoot, for example, is conceived and executed in the moment. Impromptu was borrowed—spelling, meaning, and all—from French in the mid-18th century. The French had gotten the word from Latin, from the phrase in promptu, meaning “in readiness.” But the presence of prompt in there is no coincidence: both impromptu and prompt are ultimately derived from the Latin promere, meaning “to bring forth, take out.”
Examples of impromptu in a Sentence
Shalwah Evans, People.com, 6 July 2025
Though the picture seemingly showcases an impromptu moment, Shelton actually spent months preparing for the breathtaking proposal.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 3 July 2025
During a June 21 incident, LMPD spokesperson Matt Sanders said officers helped disperse a crowd of about 250 people in what could have been an impromptu street takeover.
—Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2025
Upon the June 13 news of the Manchester, Tennessee music festival's cancellation due to severe weather and flooding, some artists on the lineup announced impromptu make-up shows in Music City to perform their Bonnaroo sets.
—Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Impromptu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impromptu. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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