improvise

To improvise is defined as to do something on the spur of the moment.

(verb)

An example of to improvise is someone having to give a speech without any notice.

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See improvise in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb, intransitive verb improvised, improvising

  1. to compose, or simultaneously compose and perform, on the spur of the moment and without any preparation; extemporize
    1. to bring about, make, or do on the spur of the moment: to improvise a solution to a problem
    2. to make, provide, or do with the tools and materials at hand, usually to fill an unforeseen and immediate need: to improvise a bed out of leaves

Origin: Fr improviser < It improvvisare < improvviso, unprepared < L improvisus, unforeseen < in-, not + provisus, pp. of providere, to foresee, anticipate: see provide

Related Forms:

See improvise in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb im·pro·vised, im·pro·vis·ing, im·pro·vis·es
verb, transitive
  1. To invent, compose, or perform with little or no preparation.
  2. To play or sing (music) extemporaneously, especially by inventing variations on a melody or creating new melodies in accordance with a set progression of chords.
  3. To make or provide from available materials: improvised a dinner from what I found in the refrigerator.
verb, intransitive
  1. To invent, compose, or perform something extemporaneously.
  2. To improvise music.
  3. To make do with whatever materials are at hand.

Origin:

Origin: French improviser

Origin: , from Italian improvvisare

Origin: , from improvviso, unforeseen

Origin: , from Latin imprōvīsus

Origin: : in-, not; see in-1

Origin: + prōvīsus

Origin: , past participle of prōvidēre, to foresee; see provide

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Related Forms:

  • imˈpro·visˌer, imˈpro·viˌsor noun

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