improvise
verb
im·pro·vise
ˈim-prə-ˌvīz 
also ˌim-prə-ˈvīz
improvised; improvising
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
: to improvise something
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
Faced with a crowded dining room and dwindling supplies, Cardini improvised.
—
Scott Hutcheson, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
The Israeli campaign has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health officials, and ravaged the Gaza Strip forcing almost the entire population of 2.3 million from their homes, leaving hundreds of thousands in tents and improvised shelters.
—James MacKenzie, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Oswalt then improvised a 10-minute speech on Star Wars Episode VII.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2025
Elsewhere in the conversation, Messing talked about improvising with De Niro during filming, De Niro gave an update on Meet the Parents 4, and much more.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for improvise
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Scott Hutcheson, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
The Israeli campaign has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health officials, and ravaged the Gaza Strip forcing almost the entire population of 2.3 million from their homes, leaving hundreds of thousands in tents and improvised shelters.
—James MacKenzie, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Oswalt then improvised a 10-minute speech on Star Wars Episode VII.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2025
Elsewhere in the conversation, Messing talked about improvising with De Niro during filming, De Niro gave an update on Meet the Parents 4, and much more.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for improvise
Cite this Entry
“Improvise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improvise. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
improvise
verb
im·pro·vise
ˌim-prə-ˈvīz
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-
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