improvisation
/ˌɪm.prə.vaɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/ IELTSAcademic
noun
The act of making or doing something without planning it first. It often means using what is available at the moment.
- The speech was pure improvisation.
- We had to use improvisation after the power cut.
- Her cooking was quick improvisation with leftover rice.
Adinary Nuance
Improvisation is close to spontaneity, but it is usually more about creating or performing without preparation. It can sound positive when someone is skillful under pressure. Use it when the result comes from quick thinking, not from careful planning.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- ứng biến
- Spanish
- improvisación
- Chinese
- 即兴
- Japanese
- 即興
- Korean
- 즉흥
Etymology
Improvisation comes from French improvisation, from improvise, which came from Latin improvisus, meaning “unforeseen” or “unexpected.” It entered English in the 18th century.
Common phrases
musical improvisationimprovisation skillsimprovisation on the spotimprovisation in cooking
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is improvisation a formal word?
- Yes, it is common in writing and academic English, but it is also used in everyday speech.
- What is the difference between improvisation and spontaneity?
- Spontaneity is acting naturally and quickly. Improvisation is creating something without preparation.
- Can I use improvisation in business English?
- Yes. It works well when you talk about handling problems without a fixed plan.
- Is improvisation only used for music and acting?
- No. People use it for speaking, problem-solving, cooking, and many other situations.