improviseim‧pro‧vise /ˈɪmprəvaɪz/ verb [intransitive, transitive] 
Word Origin Examples
I forgot to bring my notes, so I had to improvise.2to make something by using whatever you can find because you do not have the equipment or materials that you need: There were no nappies, so we had to improvise with what we could find. Annie improvised a sandpit for the children.3to 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 /ˌɪmprəvaɪˈzeɪʃən $ ɪmˌprɑːvə-/ noun [countable, uncountable]
Word OriginWORD ORIGINimprovise
Verb TableOrigin:
1800-1900 French improviser, from Italian, from improvviso ‘sudden’VERB TABLE
improvise
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | improvise |
| he, she, it | improvises | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | improvised |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have improvised |
| he, she, it | has improvised | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had improvised |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will improvise |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have improvised |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am improvising |
| he, she, it | is improvising | |
| you, we, they | are improvising | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was improvising |
| you, we, they | were improvising | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been improvising |
| he, she, it | has been improvising | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been improvising |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be improvising |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been improvising |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- I improvised a sling for his arm out of a strip of cloth.
- I left my lesson plans at home, so I'll have to improvise.
- It was difficult to believe that the whole sketch was improvised.
- Jazz musicians are good at improvising.
- Kids were improvising games with a ball and some string.
- Mike improvised a little farewell song at the end of the evening.
- Modern jazz players like to take a theme and improvise around it.
- Robin Williams likes to improvise his comedy.
- They had improvised an alarm, using string and empty cans.
- Use these recipes as a guideline, but feel free to improvise!
- You can't play jazz unless you can improvise.
- If you've improvised and made a tie yourself, undo it and retie.
- Keynes improvised the answers, and changed them as he went along.
- Solov had given Holder sixteen bars of music to improvise to, and the dancer grabbed at the opportunity.
- The reality of improvising your way through change demands revising specific strategies over time.
- Throughout it all, an expanding group of change leaders at McKinsey continued to improvise.
- You had to sing; you had to dance; you had to play an instrument; you had to improvise.
Longman Language Activatorto make something quickly using whatever materials you have► knock off/knock up
1to do something without any preparation, because you are forced to do this by unexpected events: informal to make something quickly and without using much effort: knock off/up something: · She was always good on the sewing machine. She could knock off an outfit in two hours.knock somebody up something British: · I could knock you up a couple of poached eggs.
► throw together to make something quickly and not very carefully, especially because you are in a hurry: throw together something: · Sheryl had thrown together his costume somewhat haphazardly.throw something together: · We had 15 minutes to throw lunch together, eat, and get changed.
► rig up to quickly make something such as a piece of equipment that you only need for a short time, using various materials that you have available: rig up something: · You don't have blinds or curtains so you'll need to rig up something to shut out the sunlight.rig something up: · Can you rig a gate up to stop the dog getting into my room?· There's a shower rigged up at the back of the cabin.
► cobble together to quickly and roughly make something by hand, using a few simple materials: cobble together something: · She cobbled together a tent from a few pieces of string and a sheet.cobble something together into something: · We were always searching for bits of junk we could cobble together into something artistic.
► run up British to quickly make a piece of clothing or some curtains, especially using a sewing machine: · There's a woman at the end of our street who will run up some curtains for me.· "I like your dress." "Oh, thank you. It's just something I ran up last night."
► improvise to make something using whatever you have available, when you do not have the correct materials: · They had improvised an alarm, using string and empty cans.improvise something out of something: · I improvised a sling for his arm out of a strip of cloth.
► makeshift made using any materials or objects that are available at the time in order to be used only for a short time: · Using an old tree-trunk as a makeshift table, we ate our picnic.· When we reached the river we found that the makeshift bridge had been swept away.· They rigged up the canvas boat-cover as a makeshift sail.
to play music► play to make music on a musical instrument: · Do you play in an orchestra?· Charles likes to play Celtic music on his flute.play the piano/trumpet/drums etc: · I didn't know you could play the violin.
► perform formal to sing or play music in front of people who have come to listen: · She still gets very nervous about performing in public.· The orchestra will be at the Festival Hall tonight, performing a selection of works by Russian composers.
► on (the) drums/guitar/keyboards etc playing a particular instrument in a band: · When they perform, Barbara sings and her older sister Suzie is on drums.· The recording features Norman Simmons on piano and Henry Johnson on guitar.
► improvise to perform music by creating it from your imagination while you play or sing: · You can't play jazz unless you can improvise.· Mike improvised a little farewell song at the end of the evening.
► jam to play jazz or rock music with other people in an informal way, without planning what you are going to play: · Some guys are getting together tonight at Scott's to jam.jam with: · Matthews used to jam with drummer Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore.jam session (=an occasion when a group of musicians jam): · All-night jam sessions were common in Kansas City jazz clubs of the 1930s.
► play by ear to play a song or piece of music from memory without reading the written music: · He never took piano lessons - he just plays by ear.· With the Suzuki method, a child is trained to play by ear at an early age without any written music.
to perform without having planned or practised something► improvise to play music, give a speech, act on stage etc without having planned or practised what you are going to do: · Modern jazz players like to take a theme and improvise around it.· It was difficult to believe that the whole sketch was improvised.
► ad-lib to say or sing something as part of a public performance or speech without having planned or practised it: · No one could remember the song very well, so we had to ad-lib.· The other actors were thrown into confusion when she started ad-libbing her final speech.
WORD SETS► Musica cappella, adjectiveaccelerando, adjectiveaccompaniment, nounaccompanist, nounaccompany, verbaccordion, nounacid house, nounacoustic, adjectiveadagio, nounallegro, nounandante, adjectiveandante, nounanthem, nounaria, nounarpeggio, nounarr., arrange, verbarrangement, nounatonal, adjectiveback, verbbacking, nounbagpipes, nounbalalaika, nounballad, nounband, nounbandmaster, nounbandsman, nounbandstand, nounbanjo, nounbar, nounbarbershop, nounbaritone, nounbarrel organ, nounbass, nounbass, adjectivebass clef, nounbass guitar, nounbassist, nounbassoon, nounbaton, nounbeat, verbbeat, nounbebop, nounblast, verbblow, verbbluegrass, nounbolero, nounbongos, nounboogie, nounbootleg, nounbow, nounbow, verbbrass band, nounbreve, nounbridge, nounbugle, nounbusk, verbC, nouncabaret, nouncadence, nouncadenza, nouncalypso, nounC & W, canon, nouncantata, nouncanticle, nouncantor, nouncarillon, nouncarol, nouncarol, verbcastanets, nouncatchy, adjectivecellist, nouncello, nounchamber music, nounchamber orchestra, nounchant, verbchant, nounchoir, nounchoirboy, nounchoral, adjectivechorale, nounchord, nounchorister, nounchorus, nounChristmas carol, nounchromatic, adjectiveclapper, nounclarinet, nounclavichord, nounclef, nouncoda, nouncoloratura, nouncombo, nouncompose, verbcomposer, nounconcert, nounconcertgoer, nounconcertina, nounconcertmaster, nounconcerto, nounconduct, verbconductor, nounconsonant, adjectiveconsort, nouncontinuo, nouncontrabass, nouncontralto, nouncor anglais, nouncornet, nouncounterpoint, nouncountertenor, nouncountry and western, nouncountry music, nouncover, verbcover, nouncrescendo, nouncroon, verbcrotchet, nouncut, verbcymbal, nounD, noundamper, noundance, noundance band, noundemo, noundescant, noundidgeridoo, noundiminuendo, noundirge, noundisc jockey, noundiscord, noundiscordant, adjectivedissonance, nounditty, nounDixieland, noundo, noundoh, noundominant, noundouble bass, noundownbeat, noundrum, noundrum, verbdrumbeat, noundrum kit, noundrum major, noundrummer, noundrumming, noundrum-roll, noundrumstick, noundub, nounduet, noundulcimer, nounduo, nounear, nouneasy listening, nouneighth note, nounelevator music, nounencore, interjectionensemble, nounexpression, nounf., fa, nounfalsetto, nounfanfare, nounfantasia, nounfiddle, nounfiddler, nounfife, nounfinale, nounfingering, nounflat, adjectiveflat, nounflat, adverbflautist, nounfloor show, nounflourish, nounflute, nounfolk, nounfolk, adjectivefolk music, nounforte, nounforte, adjectivefortissimo, adjectiveforty-five, nounFrench horn, nounfret, nounfugue, nounfunk, nounfunky, adjectiveg, gamelan, noungig, noungig, verbglee club, nounglide, nounglockenspiel, noungong, noungospel, noungrand, noungrand opera, noungrand piano, nounGregorian chant, noungroup, nounguitar, nounhalf note, nounhalf step, nounhammer, nounhard rock, nounharmonic, adjectiveharmonica, nounharmonium, nounharmonize, verbharmony, nounharp, nounharpsichord, nounheavy metal, nounhigh, adjectivehigh-pitched, adjectivehip hop, nounhorn, nounhot, adjectivehouse music, nounhurdy-gurdy, nounhymn, nounimpressionism, nounimpressionist, nounimprovise, verbincidental music, nouninstrument, nouninstrumental, adjectiveinstrumental, nouninstrumentalist, nouninstrumentation, nouninterlude, nouninterval, nounjam, verbjam session, nounjazz, nounjazzy, adjectivejig, nounjingle, nounjungle, nounkaraoke, nounkazoo, nounkettledrum, nounkey, nounkeyboard, nounkey signature, nounla, nounlament, nounlargo, adjectiveleader, nounledger line, nounlegato, adjectiveleitmotif, nounlento, adjectivelibrettist, nounlibretto, nounlilt, nounlullaby, nounlute, nounlyre, nounlyric, adjectivelyrical, adjectivelyricism, nounlyricist, nounmadrigal, nounmaestro, nounmajor, adjectivemale-voice choir, nounmandolin, nounmaracas, nounmarch, nounmarching band, nounmariachi, nounmarimba, nounmasterclass, nounmedley, nounmellifluous, adjectivemelodic, adjectivemelodious, adjectivemelody, nounmetronome, nounmezzo-soprano, nounmi, nounmiddle C, nounminim, nounminor, adjectiveminstrel, nounminuet, nounmodal, adjectivemode, nounmoderato, adjectivemodulate, verbmolto, adverbmood music, nounmotif, nounmouth organ, nounmouthpiece, nounmovement, nounmusic, nounmusical, adjectivemusical, nounmusical instrument, nounmusically, adverbmusician, nounmusicianship, nounmusicology, nounmusic stand, nounmute, verbmute, nounMuzak, nounnational anthem, nounnatural, adjectivenatural, nounNegro spiritual, nounnocturne, nounnote, nounnumber, nounnumber one, nounnursery rhyme, nounoboe, nounoctave, nounoctet, nounoff-key, adjectiveone-man band, nounopera, nounopera house, nounoperetta, nounopus, nounoratorio, nounorchestra, nounorchestral, adjectiveorchestra pit, nounorchestrate, verborgan, nounorgan grinder, nounorganist, nounovertone, nounoverture, nounp., panpipes, nounpart, nounpart-song, nounpause, nounpeal, verbpedal, nounpeg, nounpenny whistle, nounpercussion, nounperfect pitch, nounPhilharmonic, adjectivephrase, nounphrase, verbphrasing, nounpianissimo, adjectivepianist, nounpiano, nounpiano, adjectivepianola, nounpiccolo, nounpick, verbpick, nounpipe, verbpiped music, nounpiper, nounpitch, nounpitch, verbpizzicato, nounplainchant, nounplainsong, nounplay, verbplayer, nounplayer piano, nounplectrum, nounpluck, verbpolyphony, nounpop, nounpop group, nounpop music, nounpop star, nounprelude, nounpresto, adjectivepresto, nounprima donna, nounproduction number, nounpromenade concert, nounpsaltery, nounpunk, nounquarter note, nounquartet, nounquaver, nounquintet, nounR & B, nounrag, nounraga, nounragga, nounragtime, nounrange, nounrap, nounrap, verbrapper, nounrecital, nounrecitative, nounrecord, nounrecorder, nounreed, nounrefrain, nounreggae, nounregister, nounremaster, verbrendering, nounrendition, nounrepeat, nounrequest, nounrequiem, nounresonator, nounrest, nounrhapsody, nounrhythm, nounrhythm and blues, nounrhythm section, nounriff, nounroadie, nounroad manager, nounrock, nounrock and roll, nounrock music, nounrock 'n' roll, nounrondo, nounrostrum, nounround, nounrumba, nounrun, nounsalsa, nounsamba, nounsaxophone, nounsaxophonist, nounscale, nounscat, nounscherzo, nounscore, nounscore, verbsemibreve, nounsemiquaver, nounsemitone, nounseptet, nounserenade, nounserenade, verbset, nounsetting, nounsextet, nounshanty, nounsharp, adverbsharp, nounsheet music, nounsight-read, verbsignature tune, nounsing, verbsinger, nounsinger-songwriter, nounsingle, nounsitar, nounsixteenth note, nounska, nounskiffle, nounslide, nounslur, verbslur, nounsnare drum, nounso, nounsol, nounsol-fa, nounsolo, adjectivesolo, nounsoloist, nounsonata, nounsong, nounsongbook, nounsongster, nounsongwriter, nounsoprano, nounsoprano, adjectivesoul, nounsoundtrack, nounspiritual, nounsqueezebox, nounstaccato, adverbstaff, nounstandard, nounStar-Spangled Banner, the, stave, nounsteel band, nounsteel guitar, nounstep, nounstring, verbstringed instrument, nounstrum, verbstudy, nounsuite, nounswell, nounswing, nounsymphony, nounsyncopated, adjectivesyncopation, nounsynthesis, nounsynthesize, verbsynthesizer, nountabla, nountabor, nountambourine, nountechno, nountempo, nountenor, nountenor, adjectiveTex-Mex, adjectivetheme, nounthrash, nounthrenody, nounthrob, verbti, nountimbrel, nountime, nountime signature, nountimpani, nountoccata, nountom-tom, nountonal, adjectivetonality, nountone, nountone-deaf, adjectivetone poem, nountonic, nountootle, verbtrack, nountranscribe, verbtranspose, verbtreble, nountreble, adjectivetreble clef, nountremolo, nountriangle, nountrill, nountrombone, nountrumpet, nountuba, nountune, nountune, verbtuneful, adjectivetuneless, adjectivetuning fork, nountuning peg, nounukulele, noununaccompanied, adjectiveupright piano, nounvalve, nounvariation, nounverse, nounvibes, nounvibraphone, nounvibrato, nounviola, nounviolin, nounviolinist, nounvirginals, nounvirtuoso, nounvivace, adjectivevocal, adjectivevocal, nounvocalist, nounvoice, nounvoluntary, nounwaltz, nounwarble, verbwarbler, nounwhole note, nounwind instrument, nounwoodwind, nounxylophone, nounyodel, verbyodel, nounzither, nounzydeco, noun
I forgot to bring my notes, so I had to improvise.2to make something by using whatever you can find because you do not have the equipment or materials that you need: There were no nappies, so we had to improvise with what we could find. Annie improvised a sandpit for the children.3to 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 /ˌɪmprəvaɪˈzeɪʃən $ ɪmˌprɑːvə-/ noun [countable, uncountable]