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
Music is the message for Danny Kean, who has been traversing North America for 20 years, improvising on a piano in the back of his pickup.
—
Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 14 June 2025
Surprisingly, for a film about improv comics, there wasn't much improvising in the movie, except for Mohammed.
—Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 11 June 2025
The script, while foundational, was heavily improvised.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
Every Wednesday night at Borelli’s Pizzeria in Lincoln Square, cycling troupes of singers improvise a half-hour-long opera based on audience suggestions.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for improvise
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Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 14 June 2025
Surprisingly, for a film about improv comics, there wasn't much improvising in the movie, except for Mohammed.
—Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 11 June 2025
The script, while foundational, was heavily improvised.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
Every Wednesday night at Borelli’s Pizzeria in Lincoln Square, cycling troupes of singers improvise a half-hour-long opera based on audience suggestions.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 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 18 Jun. 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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