improvise (ˈɪmprəˌvaɪz
)
Definitions
verb
- to perform or make quickly from materials and sources available, without previous planning
- to perform (a poem, play, piece of music, etc), composing as one goes along
Alternative Forms
ˈimproˌviser nounWord Origin
C19: from French, from Italian improvvisare, from Latin imprōvīsus unforeseen, from im- (not) + prōvīsus, from prōvidēre to foresee; see provideSynonyms
View thesaurus entryUsage examples
``I'm worried all right," Whitlock retorted, knowing his only chance now was to improvise.
, Code Breaker (1993)Criminals have been known to improvise this type of silencer, using wire wool or steel pan scourers to form the mesh.
New Scientist (1999)``We're all classically trained but we are happy to use Celtic, pop and jazz sounds and also improvise on occasion.
The Mercury, Sunday Tasmanian (2004)He did not know how he might approach the game tactically, whether he will improvise more or attack more.
Independent (1999)Without yeast for bread, she used soda, and had to improvise a hot drink with bran that went under the name `coffee'.
, ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON (2005)