improvise

1 of 2

verb

im·​pro·​vise ˈim-prə-ˌvīz How to pronounce improvise (audio)
also ˌim-prə-ˈvīz
improvised; improvising
Synonyms of improvise

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to improvise something
improviser noun
or improvisor
ˈim-prə-ˌvī-zər How to pronounce improvise (audio)
ˌim-prə-ˈvī-

improviser

2 of 2

noun

im·​pro·​vis·​er
variants or improvisor
-zə(r) How to pronounce improviser (audio)
plural -s
: one that improvises

Synonyms of improvise

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of improvise in a Sentence

Verb 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
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Verb
Props to the whole team for trying to get the sketch back on track, and for Day improvising a small admonishment within the scene. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026 Marina Warner Possessed of Alchemystic Powers Ithell Colquhoun improvised with Surrealist and occult divinatory techniques in her paintings, and also in her writing—and in this lies her true originality. — Conor Heffernan, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026 The result is a more effective change with fewer rumors needing correction, fewer objections stalling adoption and fewer managers left to improvise for their teams. — John Radman, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Various improvising artists have been offering up interpretations of Bob Dylan since the ‘60s, often with mixed results. — Bret Saunders, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for improvise

Word History

Etymology

Verb

French improviser, from Italian improvvisare, from improvviso sudden, from Latin improvisus, literally, unforeseen, from in- + provisus, past participle of providēre to see ahead — more at provide

First Known Use

Verb

1788, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of improvise was in 1788

Rhymes for improvise

See All Rhymes for improvise

Browse Nearby Words

improvisatrice
improvise
improviser
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Improvise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improvise. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

improvise

verb
im·​pro·​vise ˌim-prə-ˈvīz How to pronounce improvise (audio)
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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