单词 | impromptu |
释义 | impromptu (once / 2582 pages) adjadvn Some of the best kinds of parties are impromptu ones, when you decide at the last minute to get together. The adjective impromptu describes things done or said without previous thought or preparation. Impromptu is also used as an adverb: Most people are not able to speak impromptu in front of an audience. This word was borrowed from French, from Latin in prōmptū "at hand, in readiness" from in "in" plus prōmptū, a form of prōmptus "readiness," from prōmere "to bring forth." As you can guess from the spelling, the adjective and verb prompt is related to impromptu; they are from the same Latin verb. WORD FAMILYimpromptu: impromptus USAGE EXAMPLESThe death of pop icon David Bowie on 10 January set the tone, and there was an impromptu wake in Brixton, where he was born. The Guardian(Dec 28, 2016) Russia Monday observed an official day of mourning, with residents of Moscow and other cities leaving flowers at impromptu memorials to commemorate the victims. Wall Street Journal(Dec 26, 2016) Latham also apologized for what he was about to do: An impromptu a cappella rendition of “Away in a Manger.” Washington Post(Dec 22, 2016) 1adj with little or no preparation or forethought an impromptu speech Syn ad-lib, extemporaneous, extemporary, extempore, off-the-cuff, offhand, offhanded, unrehearsed unprepared without preparation; not prepared for 2adv without advance preparation Syn ad lib, ad libitum, spontaneously 3n an extemporaneous speech or remark a witty impromptu must not sound premeditated Hyper address, speech the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience 4n a short musical passage that seems to have been made spontaneously without advance preparation Hyper musical passage, passage a short section of a musical composition |
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