Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
💬 Unplanned 🥂 Unprepared remark 🎹 Short music piece
impromptu

impromptu

7.9
A short piece of music that sounds like it was made up while playing
  • noun
  • /ɪmˈprɑmptu/
  • Specialized
translation icon : impromptu
  • She was inspired to play an impromptu that captured the mood of the evening.

Examples

  • The concert included a beautiful impromptu performed with apparent ease by the pianist.

  • Chopin composed several famous impromptus that remain popular in piano repertoire today.

  • She performed an impromptu piece at the café last night.

  • The band played an impromptu song during the break.

  • The musician surprised the audience with an impromptu performance that felt both fresh and engaging.

  • During the party, she entertained her friends with an impromptu song she made up on the spot.

  • He played an impromptu piece on the piano that showcased his creativity and skill.

Synonyms

improvisation
vsimpromptu
29 5.6

An act of making or doing something quickly without a plan to solve a problem

is a short musical piece that shows spontaneity rather than general spontaneous action

Antonyms

planned
26 1.0

Arranged before it happens on purpose

How Planned

composition
35 3.5
impromptu
  • Specialized
7.9
improvisation
29 5.6

Surface Forms

impromptu singular
impromptus plural

Etymology

The musical term impromptu comes from Latin in- and promptus and links to English prompt ('quick' or 'ready'); composers used it for short pieces that sound like they were made 'on the spot', so an impromptu is a short, seemingly improvised composition.