extemporaneous

American  

[ik-stem-puh-rey-nee-uhs] / ɪkˌstɛm pəˈreɪ ni əs /

adjective

1. done, spoken, performed, etc., without special advance preparation; impromptu.

   an extemporaneous speech.

2. previously planned but delivered with the help of few or no notes.

   extemporaneous lectures.

3. speaking or performing with little or no advance preparation.

   extemporaneous actors.

4. made for the occasion, as a shelter.

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extemporaneous British  

/ ɪkˌstɛmpəˈreɪnɪəs, ɪkˈstɛmpərərɪ, -prərɪ /

adjective

1. spoken, performed, etc, without planning or preparation; impromptu; extempore

2. done in a temporary manner; improvised

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Related Words

Extemporaneous, extempore, impromptu, improvised are used of expression given without preparation or only partial preparation. Extemporaneous and impromptu may both refer to speeches given without any preparation: an extemporaneous (impromptu) speech. Extemporaneous may also refer to a speech given from notes or an outline: extemporaneous lectures. Although extempore is an adjective with the very same meaning as extemporaneous, this word is most often used in its adverbial senses: She spoke extempore, and had the audience's rapt attention. Impromptu also refers to poems, songs, etc., delivered without preparation and at a moment's notice. Improvised is applied to something composed (recited, sung, acted), at least in part, as one goes along: an improvised piano accompaniment.

Other Word Forms

• extemporaneity noun
• extemporaneously adverb
• extemporaneousness noun

Etymology

Origin of extemporaneous

First recorded in 1650–60, from Late Latin extemporāneus “on the spur of the moment”; extempore, -an, -eous

Example Sentences

I would think that the magic of spontaneity and extemporaneous invention is something that the current bathing businesses hope for.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2025

Like most of his comedy, the opening riff was extemporaneous.

From Salon • Feb. 29, 2024

“We love y’all. We want you to get it right,” he said, in brash and seemingly extemporaneous remarks.

From New York Times • Feb. 5, 2024

Although he set the text aside, his deviation was not extemporaneous in the truest since of the word.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 22, 2023

Soon after that, Minister Lemuel Hassan urged me to address the brothers and sisters with an extemporaneous lecture.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey