improvise

verb

im·​pro·​vise ˈim-prə-ˌvīz How to pronounce improvise (audio)
also ˌim-prə-ˈvīz
improvised; improvising
Synonyms of improvise

transitive verb

1
: to compose, recite, play, or sing extemporaneously
2
: to make, invent, or arrange offhand
the quarterback improvised a play
3
: to make or fabricate out of what is conveniently on hand
improvise a meal

intransitive verb

: to improvise something
improviser noun
or improvisor
ˈim-prə-ˌvī-zər How to pronounce improvise (audio)
ˌim-prə-ˈvī-

Synonyms of improvise

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Examples of improvise in a Sentence

If you forget any of your lines, try to improvise. Good jazz musicians know how to improvise. He had to improvise his opening speech when he forgot his notes. The trumpet player performed an improvised solo. I wasn't expecting guests, so I had to improvise a meal with what I had in my refrigerator.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The tester isn’t just improvising mayhem; a safety standard details the tests a product must pass, and a UL mark is shorthand for surviving. — Alison J. Stein, HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026 Organizations that perform well under pressure rarely improvise their way to success. — Eric Reicin, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Sharing the bill was David Rothenberg, a professor and a jazz musician who has improvised with collaborators including leafhoppers and humpback whales. — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 With no margin for error and a cable that could fail at any moment, an unlikely alliance of rescuers must improvise under intense public scrutiny, racing against an invisible clock before disaster strikes live on television. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for improvise

Word History

Etymology

French improviser, from Italian improvvisare, from improvviso sudden, from Latin improvisus, literally, unforeseen, from in- + provisus, past participle of providēre to see ahead — more at provide

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of improvise was in 1788

Rhymes for improvise

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Browse Nearby Words

improvisatrice
improvise
improviser
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Improvise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improvise. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

improvise

verb
im·​pro·​vise ˌim-prə-ˈvīz How to pronounce improvise (audio)
ˈim-prə-ˌvīz
improvised; improvising
1
: to compose, recite, play, or sing without preparation
2
: to make, invent, or arrange on the spur of the moment or without planning
the quarterback improvised a play
3
: to make out of what is conveniently on hand
improvise a bed from leaves and straw
improviser noun
or improvisor
-ˈvī-zər, 
-ˌvī-
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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