extempore

American  

[ik-stem-puh-ree] / ɪkˈstɛm pə ri /

adverb

1. on the spur of the moment; without premeditation or preparation; offhand.

   Questions were asked extempore from the floor.

2. without notes.

   to speak extempore.

3. (of musical performance) by improvisation.

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adjective

1. extemporaneous; impromptu.

extempore British  

/ ɪkˈstɛmpərɪ /

adverb

1. without planning or preparation; impromptu

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Related Words

See extemporaneous.

Other Word Forms

• nonextempore adverb

Etymology

Origin of extempore

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin: literally, “out of the time, at the moment,” equivalent to ex “out of” ( ex- ¹ ) + tempore “the time” (ablative singular of tempus )

Explanation

Something extempore is spontaneous and unscripted. An extempore dance party on the city bus might be fun, while an extempore speech in front of the whole school could be terrifying. The term exetempore comes from the Latin phrase ex tempore, "out of time," and was originally used to mean "without time to prepare." These days it usually comes up when a performer is improvising or a speaker goes off script or doesn't use a teleprompter: "The President's extempore remarks made his advisors nervous." You can also use the synonym extemporaneous.

Example Sentences

And whenever he performed during the show - including an extempore rap performance while inhaling helium from a balloon - fans would celebrate on social media for days.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2023

It was his ability to speak extempore with an eloquence and inventiveness unrivaled in 17th-century Paris.

From New York Times • Jan. 8, 2020

There were no musical instruments and psalms were led, while prayers were extempore and interminable with some church members rambling on for 20 minutes minimum.

From The Guardian • Sep. 10, 2016

But Mr Modi used it to speak about the issues bothering Indians every day and in a break from tradition, he spoke extempore, without consulting any notes.

From BBC • Aug. 15, 2014

But at the close he spoke a few words extempore, commending the Hellenic cause, if war should come, to the mercy of God.

From The Near East Dalmatia, Greece and Constantinople by Hichens, Robert (Robert Smythe)