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improviseto create and perform something spontaneously without preparation

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to create and perform something spontaneously without preparation

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɪmprəˌvaɪz/

Example Sentences

  • When the pizza delivery was delayed, dad improvised dinner using leftover rice and mysterious ingredients from the fridge.
  • The jazz musician's ability to improvise made every performance unique and memorable.
  • She had to improvise her presentation when she realized she brought the wrong USB drive.

improvise

VERB

[/ˈɪmprəˌvaɪz/]

to create and perform something spontaneously without preparation

The jazz pianist had to improvise when the sheet music flew away.
💡 Concept

The jazz pianist had to improvise when the sheet music flew away.

The chef had to improvise dinner with whatever was left in the fridge. (IM + PROVISE(provide) → IMPROVISE = PROVIDE something IMpromptu)
🧠 Mnemonic

The chef had to improvise dinner with whatever was left in the fridge. (IM + PROVISE(provide) → IMPROVISE = PROVIDE something IMpromptu)

The improvise act was a surprise from the wise old magician.
🎵 Rhyme

The improvise act was a surprise from the wise old magician.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈɪmprəˌvaɪz/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈɪmprəvaɪz/

🌳Etymology

Prefixim--
Rootprovis
Suffix--e

Origin

From Italian 'improvvisare', derived from Latin 'improvisus' meaning 'unforeseen' or 'unexpected'. The Latin root combines 'in-' (not) and 'provisus' (foreseen), from 'providere' meaning 'to provide or foresee'.

Breakdown

in- (not) + provisus (foreseen, from providere 'to foresee') + -ize (verb suffix) = improvise (to do something unforeseen/unplanned)

🎵Rhyme

comprisesurpriseadvertisecompromise
comprise
surprise
advertise
compromise

🔗Collocations

improvise a speech
improvise on the piano
improvise a solution
learn to improvise
improvise with ingredients

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

When the pizza delivery was delayed, dad improvised dinner using leftover rice and mysterious ingredients from the fridge.

The jazz musician's ability to improvise made every performance unique and memorable.

She had to improvise her presentation when she realized she brought the wrong USB drive.

The survival expert taught us how to improvise shelter using only branches and leaves.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

ad-libextemporizewing itmake upspontaneously create

Antonyms

preparerehearseplan

Related

spontaneouscreativeadaptationflexibilityinnovation

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