Skip to main content
improvised

improvised

26 4.6
Made quickly using what is available
  • adjective
  • /ˈɪmprəˌvaɪzd/
: improvisado
  • During the power outage, we enjoyed an improvised dinner with whatever food we had in the cupboard.
  • feels improvised
  • very improvised

One settler attempted to escape in an improvised canoe and drowned.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • But yeah, it was kind of like, half improvised, half choreographed.

  • And with some simple tools, a few buckets, things that you can carve, you can make an improvised distillation set up in the woods too.

  • In the background you can see my less than ideal improvised version of a desk.

  • You know, so it was just, it was like an improvised film and I'd never done anything like that before.

  • Since we're moving offices and studio at the moment, hence the more improvised background.

  • Very improvised, like free flowing music tracks to be on summers iPod.

  • Of the three published films, the one I love most is "Afternoons in Barcelona," mainly because we enjoyed so much in the park and because that was the most improvised film.

    Blog text (33)
  • Instead, he dines alone, according to legend, on a hastily improvised dish of local ingredients that becomes known as chicken marengo.

  • Using leftover materials, we created an improvised shelter for the night.

  • He gave an improvised speech that captured everyone's attention without any notes.

Synonyms

makeshift
vsimprovised
57 4.8

Used for a short time when you have no better choice

is created from available materials but not only a temporary substitute
impromptu
vsimprovised
37 6.3

Done or said without preparation

is about using available materials rather than only being unplanned
ad hoc
vsimprovised
21 7.0

Made quickly for a specific purpose when needed

describes creating from available materials rather than being made for a specific purpose
ad lib
vsimprovised
21 7.7

Says or does something without planning

is centered on using available materials rather than just spontaneous speech
unscripted
vsimprovised
15 5.3

Not planned in writing and done while people speak or act

concerns making things from available materials rather than avoiding a written script
improvisational
vsimprovised
9 7.2

Made or done without planning, using what is on hand

focuses on using available materials rather than only lack of planning
unrehearsed
vsimprovised
6 5.3

Not planned or practiced before

is about using whatever materials are at hand rather than merely skipping practice
jury-rigged
vsimprovised
  • Informal
5 7.6

Made quickly from things on hand to work for a short time

is made from what is at hand but not always temporary or unprofessional
extemporaneous
vsimprovised
2 9.1

Said or done without preparation on the spot

focuses on creating with available materials rather than only spontaneous speech
seat-of-the-pants
vsimprovised
  • Informal
2 8.5

Acting on instinct rather than careful planning

focuses on using available materials rather than relying mainly on instinct
unwritten
vsimprovised
1 3.9

Not planned or put on paper in advance

is about using available materials rather than only lacking prior writing
improvisatory
vsimprovised
1 7.7

Happens without planning, often on the spot

focuses on available materials rather than simply being unplanned
unstudied
vsimprovised
1 6.4

Not planned or practiced and seeming natural

focuses on creating with available materials rather than just seeming natural
unconstructed
vsimprovised
1 6.0

Speech or action that feels natural and not planned

is about using whatever materials are at hand rather than simply looking natural
extemporary
vsimprovised
1 8.8

Happening without much planning

highlights use of available materials rather than merely low preparation

Antonyms

503 1.0

Arranged before it happens on purpose

46 3.9

Arranged in a clear, planned way with regular parts or routines

Compounds

9 5.6

A bomb made from everyday things used in attacks

How Prepared

prepared
∞ 1.3
planned
503 1.0
improvised
26 4.6
makeshift
57 4.8

Surface Forms

improvised positive

Morphology

improvised = improvise (transparent) = improvise + ed

The adjective is a regular past-participial/adjectival form of the verb 'improvise', so its meaning is directly derived from the verb.

Etymology

Improvised comes from the part im- meaning 'not' and the same root as provide, which meant 'to prepare' or 'make ready'. So an improvised thing is 'not prepared in advance' and is made quickly from whatever you have at hand.