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

The duo continued laughing before politely declining the crowd’s clamors for an extemporaneous duet.

From Los Angeles Times

Hochul, a Democrat, made the extemporaneous comment Monday while being interviewed at a large business conference in California to discuss expanding economic opportunities in artificial intelligence for low-income communities.

From Seattle Times

There were times when his unplanned, extemporaneous delivery would cause frustration.

From Salon

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

From New York Times