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improvisatory

improvisatory

1 7.7
Happens without planning, often on the spot
  • adjective
  • /ˌɪmprəˈvaɪzəˌtɔri/
translation icon : improvisado
  • The comedy group was known for their improvisatory performances that often left the audience in stitches.
  • improvisatory performance
  • improvisatory exercises
  • improvisatory music

Examples

  • One of the unique characteristics of jangdan lies in its improvisatory practice.

    Academic text (2015)
  • And virtually all of our language use is improvisatory.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The dance employs a variety of turning couple movements performed in an improvisatory way

    Academic text (2016)
  • Students can record their improvisatory efforts and then preserve particularly strong material for development throughout a larger composition.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Coleman was a teacher who viewed creative, improvisatory musical experiences as an important part of her music classes.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Each of these musicians enjoys a wide range of abilities, which are incorporated into improvisatory musical presentations.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The student's ability to incorporate musical passages in an improvisatory fashion is the mark of an intelligent musician.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The structures inherent to the genre dictate the parameters or constraints of the improvisatory performance.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Through these practices, young popular musicians can develop relatively advanced aural, improvisatory, compositional, and technical skills and, in some cases, theoretical understanding.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Details of every note and inflection are aurally absorbed, as are aspects of style, expression, improvisatory vocabulary, tone, articulation, and technique.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

spontaneous
vsimprovisatory
187 4.2

Happening naturally without planning or outside cause

is similar but often implies purposeful creation done without prior plan
impromptu
vsimprovisatory
37 6.3

Done or said without preparation

is similar but usually applies to broader lack of preparation, not only immediate acts
unplanned
vsimprovisatory
25 3.5

Happening by chance without getting ready first

is similar but sometimes implies accidental occurrence rather than chosen action
improvisational
vsimprovisatory
10 7.2

Made or done without planning, using what is on hand

is the same meaning but uses an alternative adjective form
ad hoc
vsimprovisatory
9 7.0

Made quickly for a specific purpose when needed

is related but usually stresses purposeful, temporary solutions rather than sudden acts
unrehearsed
vsimprovisatory
7 5.3

Not planned or practiced before

is like that but stresses lack of planning when something is made
unpremeditated
vsimprovisatory
2 7.5

Happening without being planned or thought about first

is similar but often implies absence of earlier thought rather than creative making
extemporaneous
vsimprovisatory
2 9.1

Said or done without preparation on the spot

is similar but covers any creation without planning, not only speech
improvised
vsimprovisatory
1 4.6

Made quickly using what is available

is similar but can apply more broadly beyond using limited materials
unwritten
vsimprovisatory
1 3.9

Not planned or put on paper in advance

is similar but focuses on lack of notes or records rather than making
ad lib
vsimprovisatory
1 7.7

Says or does something without planning

is similar but usually refers to on-the-spot additions, not entire arrangements
seat-of-the-pants
vsimprovisatory
  • Informal
1 8.5

Acting on instinct rather than careful planning

is similar but the emphasis is on instinctive method over planning
unstudied
vsimprovisatory
1 6.4

Not planned or practiced and seeming natural

is similar but often refers to genuine look rather than sudden creation
extemporary
vsimprovisatory
8.8

Happening without much planning

is similar but has wider use beyond short notice creation
unconstructed
vsimprovisatory
6.0

Speech or action that feels natural and not planned

is similar but focuses more on lack of deliberate shaping than on quick making
uncontrived
vsimprovisatory
7.0

Appearing natural and not forced

is similar but stresses genuine authenticity rather than the process of quick creation

Antonyms

26 1.0

Arranged before it happens on purpose

19 2.0

Having things in order so they are easy to find

How Spontaneous

unrehearsed
7 5.3
improvisatory
1 7.7
spontaneous
187 4.2
planned
26 1.0

Surface Forms

improvisatory positive

Morphology

improvisatory = improvisation (transparent) = improvise + improvisation + atory

A standard adjectival formation from the noun 'improvisation' (relating to or characterized by improvisation) and is directly understandable from the base.

Etymology

Improvisatory comes from im- ('not') plus the same root as provision and the verb improvise, words that are about preparing or providing in advance. So an improvisatory performance is 'not prepared' and is made 'on the spot'.