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
And a lot of, a lot of our trip has just been sort of improvised.
—
Katherine Lagrave, AFAR Media, 5 Mar. 2025
Although Brando had given her a 15-page speech to read, she was forced to improvise due to the 60-second time limit disclosed minutes before to the award presentation.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
The first half of each personalized performance involved improvising to the volunteer’s prompt (which would not be shared with the audience), while the second half aimed to resolve the dilemma with a familiar classical piece the quartet felt was most appropriate for their situation.
—Anna Haines, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
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As far back as 22,000 years ago, humans may have improvised makeshift transportation tools that left grooves alongside their own footprints in what is now White Sands National Park in New Mexico.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for improvise
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Katherine Lagrave, AFAR Media, 5 Mar. 2025
Although Brando had given her a 15-page speech to read, she was forced to improvise due to the 60-second time limit disclosed minutes before to the award presentation.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
The first half of each personalized performance involved improvising to the volunteer’s prompt (which would not be shared with the audience), while the second half aimed to resolve the dilemma with a familiar classical piece the quartet felt was most appropriate for their situation.
—Anna Haines, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
As far back as 22,000 years ago, humans may have improvised makeshift transportation tools that left grooves alongside their own footprints in what is now White Sands National Park in New Mexico.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 25 Feb. 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 21 Mar. 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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