improvised

[ im-pruh-vahyzd ]

adjective

1. made or said without previous preparation:

   an improvised skit.

   Synonyms: unprepared, unrehearsed, unpremeditated

Other Words From

• im·pro·vis·ed·ly [im-pr, uh, -, vahy, -zid-lee], adverb
• un·impro·vised adjective
• well-impro·vised adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of improvised¹

First recorded in 1830–40; improvise + -ed ²

Synonym Study

See extemporaneous.

Example Sentences

We could write messages or slogans on sheets of paper, which were read aloud and improvised and danced to.

From Los Angeles Times

It would have been playing things by the book, in a year the Dodgers successfully improvised at every other step.

From Los Angeles Times

Then you took the mop and improvised a song about it.

From Los Angeles Times

An improvised aluminum pipe to ingest drugs was also found in Liam’s hotel room, the outlet reported.

From Los Angeles Times

Sources who spoke to ABC News on the details of Payne's drug use say that "an improvised aluminum pipe to ingest drugs was also found in his hotel room."

From Salon

Related Words

• impromptu
• makeshift
• spontaneous