impromptu
UK /ɪmˈpɹɒmp.tju/ · US /ɪmˈpɹɑmp.t(j)u/ adjective, adverb, noun, verb
Forms impromptus impromptuing impromptued
- adjective Improvised; without prior preparation, planning, or rehearsal. “The party began with an impromptu rendition of “Happy Birthday”.”
- adverb Extemporaneously; without prior preparation, planning, or rehearsal.
- noun (music) A short musical composition for an informal occasion often with the character of improvisation and usually to be played solo.
- noun (by extension) Any composition, musical or otherwise, that is created on the spot without preparation.
- verb To compose offhand.
Synonyms
extemporaneous extempore ad lib unplanned extemporal extemporary extemporized gash improvised improviso off-the-cuff offhand spur-of-the-moment ex tempore cold extemporize improvise ad-lib offhanded unrehearsed ad libitum spontaneously
Etymology
F. impromptu, fr. L. in promptu in readiness, at hand; in in + promptus visibility, readiness, from promptus visible, ready. See Prompt.
Webster’s 1913
- adverb Offhand; without previous study; extemporaneous; extempore; as, an impromptu verse.
- noun Something made or done offhand, at the moment, or without previous study; an extemporaneous composition, address, or remark.
- noun A piece composed or played at first thought; a composition in the style of an extempore piece.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “impromptu”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details