improvise (redirected from improvising)

im·pro·vise  (mpr-vz)

v. im·pro·vised, im·pro·vis·ing, im·pro·vis·es

v.tr.

1. To invent, compose, or perform with little or no preparation.

2. To play or sing (music) extemporaneously, especially by inventing variations on a melody or creating new melodies in accordance with a set progression of chords.

3. To make or provide from available materials: improvised a dinner from what I found in the refrigerator.

v.intr.

1. To invent, compose, or perform something extemporaneously.

2. To improvise music.

3. To make do with whatever materials are at hand.

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[French improviser, from Italian improvvisare, from improvviso, unforeseen, from Latin imprvsus : in-, not; see in-¹ + prvsus, past participle of prvidre, to foresee; see provide.]

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impro·viser, impro·visor n.

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improvise

Verb

[-vising, -vised]

1. to do or make quickly from whatever is available, without previous planning

2. to make up (a piece of music, speech, etc.) as one goes along [Latin improvisus unforeseen]

improvisation n

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	improvise - perform without preparation; "he extemporized a speech at the wedding" ad-lib, extemporise, improvize, extemporize perform, do, execute - carry out or perform an action; "John did the painting, the weeding, and he cleaned out the gutters"; "the skater executed a triple pirouette"; "she did a little dance"
	2.	improvise - manage in a makeshift way; do with whatever is at hand; "after the hurricane destroyed our house, we had to improvise for weeks" extemporize get by, grapple, make do, cope, manage, contend, deal, make out - come to terms with; "We got by on just a gallon of gas"; "They made do on half a loaf of bread every day"

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improvise

verb 1. devise, contrive, make do, concoct, throw together

verb 2. ad-lib, invent, vamp, busk, wing it (informal) play it by ear (informal) extemporize, speak off the cuff (informal)

Translations

improvise [ˈɪmprəvaɪz] vt, vi → improvisar

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improvise [ˈɪmprəvaɪz] vt, vi → improviser

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improvise [ˈɪmprəvaɪz] vt, vi → improvisieren

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improvise [ˈɪmprəvaɪz] vt, vi → improvvisare