improvisation

[ im-prov-uh-zey-shuhn, im-pruh-vuh- ]

noun

1. the art or act of improvising, or of composing, uttering, executing, or arranging anything without previous preparation:

   Musical improvisation involves imagination and creativity.

2. something improvised:

   The actor's improvisation in Act II was both unexpected and amazing.

Other Words From

• im·provi·sation·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of improvisation¹

First recorded in 1780–90; improvise + -ation

Example Sentences

High school students will be able to take Advanced Placement tests this spring at home or in school, on multiple possible dates, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to require unprecedented improvisation in academic routines.

From Washington Post

She favored classical music, while he preferred improvisation and jazz.

From Washington Post

The pandemic’s onset shattered normality as we knew it, but as consumers responded to lockdowns and economic crisis, the programmatic business entered a period marked by reset, stock-taking, improvisation and experimentation.

From Digiday

The recipe notably lacks spices, so you can treat the recipe as a base for light improvisation, adding a quarter teaspoon each of your favorite fall flavors — think nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, and allspice.

From Eater

All my creative works have been done empirically, and above all I am an artist who works based on improvisation.

From Washington Blade

Only then are they are introduced to one another for hundreds of improvisation sessions led by Leigh.

From The Daily Beast

Such seemingly effortless—and mordant—improvisation can be a marvel to behold.

From The Daily Beast

With the “11” thing, it just came out of improvisation—same with Stonehenge.

From The Daily Beast

In paying tribute to the fallen Martin Luther King, he proved that improvisation can trump political calculation.

From The Daily Beast

Everyone, supporters included, understands now that implementation means improvisation.

From The Daily Beast

One thing which impressed Kndinger was his remarkable power of improvisation.

From Project Gutenberg

In action, however, as when Kitty Tynan helped him on with his coat, he was a pure improvisation of nature.

From Project Gutenberg

Of course our artist did not bethink himself long, but sat down at once, and launched out into an improvisation on a Polish air.

From Project Gutenberg

The structure and flexibility of the language is highly favourable to this kind of improvisation.

From Project Gutenberg

Like the sailors' "shanties" and the plantation choruses, it was capable of indefinite extension and improvisation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• spontaneity