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
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
Reuniting with Davis and Khouri for the film’s 30th anniversary in 2021, Sarandon recalled improvising the memorable kiss that closes out the film.
—Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024
Research suggests that males even improvise, tailoring their show to the female’s taste — finally, a proper Romeo.
7.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024
The original film — in which most of the dialogue was improvised — follows the rockers on a 1982 U.S. tour to promote their Smell the Glove album.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2024
Imperioli and Strong started to improvise, incorporating the disruption into the world of the show.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2024
It’s choreographed, but because Bella is so kind of inconsistent, she’s not set, there’s always room to improvise or lose control a little bit.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2024
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
Reuniting with Davis and Khouri for the film’s 30th anniversary in 2021, Sarandon recalled improvising the memorable kiss that closes out the film.
—Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024
Research suggests that males even improvise, tailoring their show to the female’s taste — finally, a proper Romeo.
7.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024
The original film — in which most of the dialogue was improvised — follows the rockers on a 1982 U.S. tour to promote their Smell the Glove album.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2024
Imperioli and Strong started to improvise, incorporating the disruption into the world of the show.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2024
It’s choreographed, but because Bella is so kind of inconsistent, she’s not set, there’s always room to improvise or lose control a little bit.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 7 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 19 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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