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Definitions

improv

[im-prov] / ˈɪm prɒv /
ADJECTIVE
extemporaneous
Synonyms
WEAK
ad hoc ad-lib automatic autoschediastic by ear casual expedient extemporary extempore fake free immediate impromptu improvisatory improviso informal jamming made-up makeshift offhand on impulse on-the-spot snap spontaneous spur-of-the-moment toss off toss out unplanned unpremeditated unprepared unrehearsed unstudied winging it
Antonyms
WEAK
deliberate planned premeditated prepared rehearsed
ADJECTIVE
extemporaneous/extemporary
Synonyms
WEAK
ad hoc ad lib at first glance automatic by ear casual expedient extempore free immediate impromptu improvisatory improviso informal jamming made-up makeshift off the cuff off the top of head offhand on impulse on-the-spot snap spontaneous spur-of-the-moment taking for ride thought out loud tossed off tossed out unplanned unpremeditated unprepared unstudied winging it
Antonyms
WEAK
planned prepared read rehearsed written
ADJECTIVE
impromptu
Synonyms
STRONGEST
offhand spontaneous unscripted
STRONG
ad-lib fake
WEAK
dashed off extemporaneous extempore extemporized faked improviso off the cuff played by ear shot from the hip spur-of-the-moment thrown off tossed off unpremeditated unprepared unstudied vamped whipped up winged
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deliberate planned
ADJECTIVE
informal
Synonyms
STRONGEST
casual relaxed
STRONG
easygoing everyday natural unfussy
WEAK
breezy congenial down-home extempore familiar folksy free free-and-easy homey improvised laid-back loose low-pressure mellow off-the-cuff open ordinary spontaneous throwaway unceremonious unconstrained unrestrained without ceremony
Antonyms
STRONGEST
buttoned-up dressed-up formal
STRONG
rigid stiff
WEAK
ceremonial ceremonious fussy
ADJECTIVE
off the cuff
Synonyms
WEAK
ad-lib extemporaneous improvised improviso offhand played by ear shot from the hip spontaneous spur-of-the-moment unpremeditated unprepared unrehearsed unscripted whipped up winged
ADJECTIVE
off-the-cuff
Synonyms
WEAK
ad hoc ad-lib automatic autoschediastic by ear casual expedient extemporary extempore fake free immediate impromptu improvisatory improvised improviso informal jamming made-up makeshift offhand on impulse on-the-spot snap spontaneous spur-of-the-moment toss off toss out unplanned unpremeditated unprepared unrehearsed unstudied winging it
ADJECTIVE
spur-of-the-moment
Synonyms
WEAK
ad hoc ad-lib automatic autoschediastic by ear casual expedient extemporary extempore fake free immediate impromptu improvisatory improvised improviso informal jamming made-up makeshift offhand on impulse on-the-spot snap spontaneous toss off toss out unplanned unpremeditated unprepared unrehearsed unstudied winging it
ADVERB
off the cuff
Synonyms
WEAK
ad-lib by ear extemporaneously impromptu improvised makeshift off the hip off the top of one's head offhand unrehearsed
VERB
improvise
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ad-lib brainstorm concoct contrive devise dream up invent throw together
STRONG
coin extemporize fake jam spark
WEAK
dash off do off top of head do offhand fake it improvisate made do speak off the cuff wing it
Antonyms
WEAK
design plan premeditate
VERB
make up
Synonyms
WEAK
ad-lib blend coin combine compose compound concoct construct contrive cook up devise dream up fabricate fabulize fake it fashion fictionalize fix formulate frame fuse hatch improvise invent join knock off make meld merge mingle mix originate play by ear prepare pretend put together ready storify trump up whip up wing it write
Antonyms
WEAK
be real tell the truth
VERB
wing it
Synonyms
WEAK
ad-lib concoct devise do off the top of your head do offhand fake it invent make do make up play it by ear speak off the cuff throw together

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He told Vanity Fair it was the hardest role he had played because he didn't have the "ability to improv and be spontaneous".

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

"I've been doing sketch, character comedy and improv since university," said Sidi, who recently toured a show that saw her play former civil servant Sue Gray.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

She came up in the world of Toronto’s Second City improv, working as an understudy for Gilda Radner, one of the original seven “Saturday Night Live” cast members.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

But she has also made room for an improv comedy class, a dance class with Clark and reading fiction.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 10, 2025

Here’s one more example, from a workshop conducted by Del Close, another of the fathers of improv.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell