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improvisational

improvisational

10 7.2
Made or done without planning, using what is on hand
  • adjective
  • /ˌɪmprəvaɪˈzeɪʃənl/
translation icon : improvisado
  • The theater faculty sought advanced opportunities for theater students to develop improvisational skills in a practical manner during class hours.
  • improvisational skills
  • improvisational activities
  • improvisational style

In Californication, it was, it was looser, somewhat improvisational, not really, but just quicker.

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Examples

  • A similar setup can be used as a basis for an improvisational performance.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Daily participation in improvisational activities can help everyone learn to enjoy improvisation.

    Academic text (2006)
  • So tell me about your improvisational sessions.

  • - They hold weekly improvisational classes for acting students in the Bay Area.

  • So, so much of this performance is improvisational.

  • Group 3 wrote a piece in AB form that was improvisational in nature.

    Academic text (2015)
  • At many schools of music, improvisational skills are taught to majors in a department of jazz studies.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Both roles use creative, improvisational dancing to stabilize and revitalize the community.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The creative drama process integrates mental and physical activity, engaging the whole child in improvisational and process-oriented experiences.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The improvisational comedian captivated the audience with her spontaneous humor.

Synonyms

spontaneous
vsimprovisational
187 4.2

Happening naturally without planning or outside cause

is about unplanned making or performance rather than natural occurrence alone
impromptu
vsimprovisational
37 6.3

Done or said without preparation

covers unplanned making or performance in general, not only quick events
unscripted
vsimprovisational
13 5.3

Not planned in writing and done while people speak or act

is broader, meaning unplanned or spontaneous beyond script absence
extemporaneous
vsimprovisational
2 9.1

Said or done without preparation on the spot

applies to any unplanned making or performance, not only speech
improvised
vsimprovisational
1 4.6

Made quickly using what is available

emphasizes lack of prior planning rather than only using available materials
improvisatory
vsimprovisational
1 7.7

Happens without planning, often on the spot

is nearly identical in meaning and used the same way
ad-lib
vsimprovisational
1 7.4

Said or done without preparation

covers any unplanned making or doing, not only spoken or live actions
unwritten
vsimprovisational
1 3.9

Not planned or put on paper in advance

applies to unplanned making or performance generally, not only acts lacking text
unstudied
vsimprovisational
1 6.4

Not planned or practiced and seeming natural

emphasizes unplanned action generally rather than simply a natural look
extemporary
vsimprovisational
8.8

Happening without much planning

means unplanned or spontaneous in general, not only brief preparation
unconstructed
vsimprovisational
6.0

Speech or action that feels natural and not planned

focuses on being unplanned action, not on avoiding artificial appearance

Antonyms

103 1.3

Ready to use or do something when needed

26 1.0

Arranged before it happens on purpose

How Spontaneous

unrehearsed
7 5.3
improvisational
10 7.2
spontaneous
187 4.2
planned
26 1.0

Surface Forms

improvisational positive

Morphology

improvisational = improvisation (transparent) = improvise + ation + al

The adjective is a regular and semantically clear formation from the noun 'improvisation' with the suffix '-al'.

Etymology

Improvisational starts with im- meaning 'not' and has the same root you see in provide and provision, words about planning or arranging ahead. So something improvisational is 'not planned before' and is made up as you go.