extemporize

[ ik-stem-puh-rahyz ]

verb (used without object)

, ex·tem·po·rized, ex·tem·po·riz·ing.

1. to speak extemporaneously:

   He can extemporize on any of a number of subjects.

2. to sing, or play on an instrument, composing the music as one proceeds; improvise.
3. to do or manage something in a makeshift way.

verb (used with object)

, ex·tem·po·rized, ex·tem·po·riz·ing.

1. to make or devise extempore.
2. Music. to compose offhand; improvise.

extemporize

/ ɪkˈstɛmpəˌraɪz /

verb

1. to perform, speak, or compose (an act, speech, piece of music, etc) without planning or preparation
2. to use (a temporary solution) for an immediate need; improvise

Derived Forms

• exˈtempoˌrizer, noun
• exˌtemporiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• ex·tempo·ri·zation noun
• ex·tempo·rizer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of extemporize¹

First recorded in 1635–45; extempore + -ize

Example Sentences

Sensing an opportunity to extemporize, he looked around the chamber, pleased.

From Los Angeles Times

At the finale's close, after Alex has haltingly extemporized about whether she deserves all the terrible things that have happened to her and mulls the possibility of life after death, she shrugs.

From Salon

But as Harrison proves with his clueless extemporizing, tossing a few people of color into arenas of whiteness and calling it progress can cement dishonest impressions of racial equality in place for decades.

From Salon

Historically, chanteys – which are also spelled as "shanties" or "chanties" – began with a sing-out by a crew member recognized as "the chanteyman," usually someone prized for his voice and ability to extemporize.

From Salon

In late August, near the end of his somnolent address on the South Front of the White House accepting the Republican nomination, Trump extemporized: "The fact is, we're here – and they're not."

From Salon