improvisation

noun

im·​pro·​vi·​sa·​tion (ˌ)im-ˌprä-və-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce improvisation (audio)
ˌim-prə-və-,
 also  ˌim-prə-(ˌ)vī-
1
: the act or art of improvising
2
: something (such as a musical or dramatic composition) improvised
improvisational
(ˌ)im-ˌprä-və-ˈzā-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce improvisation (audio)
ˌim-prə-və-
 also  ˌim-prə-(ˌ)vī-
adjective
improvisationally adverb

Examples of improvisation in a Sentence

that comedy skit was a totally unrehearsed improvisation
Recent Examples on the Web Experience some of The Second City’s newest classics, along with their trademark improvisation, performed by the next generation of comedy superstars. The Enquirer, 4 Mar. 2024 Steve Paxton, who helped radically upend ideas about dance as a member of the 1960s collective Judson Dance Theater in New York City, and who developed contact improvisation, a movement form that is now practiced around the world, died on Tuesday at his home in East Charleston, Vt. Brian Seibert, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2024 The Robot Dog Dance Other pairs presenting at 7x7 included Brown University quantum physicist Stephon Alexander and comedian and musician Reggie Watts, who together experimented with improvisation to understand how physics, creativity and AI intersect. Leslie Katz, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024 The filmmaker gave Perkins some room for improvisation, and that's how Norman's love of candy corn came about. Steven Thrash, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2023 This experience taught him the value of openness and improvisation, leading him to explore broader and more diverse themes that resonate uniquely with each presentation. Javier Hasse, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 The writers wanted to get everyone comfortable again before a crowd, so the script was set aside for an improvisation game. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2024 Hoffman — doing his finest, cantankerous, Louis Litt best — and Judge Judy begin a series of improvisations. Jason Sheeler, Peoplemag, 11 Feb. 2024 The show takes shots at new love and heartache alike and features sketches from The Second City’s history plus the company’s trademark improvisation. Annie Alleman, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'improvisation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of improvisation was in 1777

Dictionary Entries Near improvisation

Cite this Entry

“Improvisation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improvisation. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

improvisation

noun
im·​pro·​vi·​sa·​tion (ˌ)im-ˌpräv-ə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce improvisation (audio)
ˌim-prə-və-
1
: the act or art of improvising
2
: something that is improvised
improvisational
-shnəl How to pronounce improvisation (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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