improvise

improvise
im|pro|vise [ˈımprəvaız] v [I and T]
[Date: 1800-1900; : French; Origin: improviser, from Italian, from improvviso 'sudden']
1.) to do something without any preparation, because you are forced to do this by unexpected events
I forgot to bring my notes, so I had to improvise.
2.) to make something by using whatever you can find because you do not have the equipment or materials that you need
There were no spare nappies, so we had to improvise with what we could find.
Annie improvised a sandpit for the children to play in.
3.) to invent music, words, a statement etc from your imagination, rather than planning or preparing it first
I just started playing, and the other guys started improvising around me.
an improvised sketch
>improvisation [ˌımprəvaıˈzeıʃən US ımˌpra:və-] n [U and C]

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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  • improvise — [im′prə vīz΄] vt., vi. improvised, improvising [Fr improviser < It improvvisare < improvviso, unprepared < L improvisus, unforeseen < in , not + provisus, pp. of providere, to foresee, anticipate: see PROVIDE] 1. to compose, or… …   English World dictionary

  • Improvise — Im pro*vise , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Improvised}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Improvising}.] [F. improviser, it. improvvisare, fr. improvviso unprovided, sudden, extempore, L. improvisus; pref. im not + provisus foreseen, provided. See {Proviso}.] 1. To… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Improvise — Im pro*vise , v. i. To produce or render extemporaneous compositions, especially in verse or in music, without previous preparation; hence, to do anything offhand. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • improvise — index compose, conjure, contrive, create, devise (invent), invent (produce for the first time), make, originate …   Law dictionary

  • improvisé — improvisé, ée (in pro vi zé, zée) part. passé d improviser. Chanson improvisée. Fête improvisée …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • improvise — (v.) 1826, back formation from improvisation, or else from Fr. improviser (17c.), from It. improvisare to sing or speak extempore, from improviso, from L. improvisus unforeseen, unexpected (see IMPROVISATION (Cf. improvisation)). Or possibly a… …   Etymology dictionary

  • improvise — is spelt ise, not ize …   Modern English usage

  • improvise — [v] make up ad lib, brainstorm, coin, concoct, contrive, dash off*, devise, do offhand, do off top of head*, dream up, extemporize, fake, fake it, improv*, improvisate, invent, jam*, knock off*, make do*, slapdash*, spark, speak off the cuff*,… …   New thesaurus

  • improvise — ► VERB 1) create and perform (music, drama, or verse) spontaneously or without preparation. 2) make from whatever is available. DERIVATIVES improvisation noun improvisational adjective improvisatory adjective improviser noun. ORIGIN …   English terms dictionary

  • improvise — [[t]ɪ̱mprəvaɪz[/t]] improvises, improvising, improvised 1) VERB If you improvise, you make or do something using whatever you have or without having planned it in advance. You need a wok with a steaming rack for this; if you don t have one,… …   English dictionary

  • improvise — UK [ˈɪmprəvaɪz] / US [ˈɪmprəˌvaɪz] verb Word forms improvise : present tense I/you/we/they improvise he/she/it improvises present participle improvising past tense improvised past participle improvised 1) a) [intransitive] to do something without …   English dictionary

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