Improvise: meaning, definitions and examples

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improvise

 

[ ˈɪmprəˌvaɪz ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

music

Create and perform (music, drama, or verse) spontaneously or without preparation.

Synonyms

impromptu, spontaneous, unrehearsed

Examples of usage

  • He was known for his ability to improvise on the piano during jazz performances.
  • She had to improvise a song on the spot when the microphone stopped working.
  • The band members often improvise during their live concerts.
Context #2 | Verb

conversation

Make something up or invent something on the spot.

Synonyms

create, fabricate, invent

Examples of usage

  • When he forgot his speech, he had to improvise and come up with something to say.
  • She had to improvise a story to explain why she was late.
  • During the interview, he had to improvise answers to unexpected questions.

Translations

Translations of the word "improvise" in other languages:

🇵🇹 improvisar

🇮🇳 आविष्कार करना

🇩🇪 improvisieren

🇮🇩 mengimprovisasi

🇺🇦 імпровізувати

🇵🇱 improwizować

🇯🇵 即興する (sokkyou suru)

🇫🇷 improviser

🇪🇸 improvisar

🇹🇷 doğaçlama yapmak

🇰🇷 즉흥적으로 하다 (jeukhengjeogeuro hada)

🇸🇦 يرتجل (yartajil)

🇨🇿 improvizovat

🇸🇰 improvizovať

🇨🇳 即兴创作 (jíxìng chuàngzuò)

🇸🇮 improvizirati

🇮🇸 spinna upp

🇰🇿 импровизация жасау

🇬🇪 იმპროვიზაცია (improvizatsia)

🇦🇿 improvizasiya etmək

🇲🇽 improvisar

Etymology

The word 'improvise' originated from the Latin word 'improvisus', which means 'unforeseen'. The term was first used in the 1820s in English to describe the act of creating or performing spontaneously. Improvisation has been a key element in various art forms such as music, theater, and dance, allowing artists to express themselves creatively in the moment without prior preparation.

See also: improv, improvable, improve, improved, improvement, improvements, improver, improving.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,641, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.