extemporaneous Hear it!

extemporaneous Definition

ex·tem·po·ra·neous (eks′tem′ pə rā′nē əs, ik stem′-)

adjective

  1. made, done, or spoken without any preparation; unpremeditated; offhand an extemporaneous speech
  2. spoken with some preparation but not written out or memorized
  3. speaking or adept at speaking without preparation
  4. made for the occasion; improvised

Etymology: LL extemporaneus: see extempore

Related Forms:

extemporaneous Synonyms

extemporaneous

modif.

spontaneous, unpremeditated, improvised, extempore, extemporary, impromptu, unprepared, ad-lib*, ad-libbed*, offhand*, unstudied*, informal*, unrehearsed, ad hoc*, by ear, on impulse, on the spot, without preparation, off the cuff*, spur-of-the-moment*.

Antonyms prepared*, studied*, premeditated. See syn. study at impromptu.impromptu.

extemporaneous Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • preparation: Pharmacists are also reminded of their responsibility under the Code of Ethics & Standards with regard to extemporaneous preparation.
  • prayer: I am not in principle opposed to extemporaneous prayer in gathered worship.
  • speech: Several times during my schooldays I remember wanting to cry before I went up the stage to give extemporaneous speeches during contests.
  • speaking: Maybe pick from committee members, although, granted, not all of us are great at extemporaneous speaking.