impromptu Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun an extemporaneous speech or remark
- a witty impromptu must not sound premeditated
noun a short musical passage that seems to have been made spontaneously without advance preparation
adjective satellite with little or no preparation or forethought
extemporaneous; extempore; offhand; ad-lib; offhanded; extemporary; unrehearsed; off-the-cuff.
- his ad-lib comments showed poor judgment
- an extemporaneous piano recital
- an extemporary lecture
- an extempore skit
- an impromptu speech
- offhand excuses
- trying to sound offhanded and reassuring
- an off-the-cuff toast
- a few unrehearsed comments
adverb without advance preparation
ad libitum; ad lib; spontaneously.
- he spoke ad lib

F. impromptu, fr. L. in promptu in readiness, at hand; in in + promptus visibility, readiness, from promptus visible, ready. See Prompt.

Offhand; without previous study; extemporaneous; extempore; as, an impromptu verse.

Something made or done offhand, at the moment, or without previous study; an extemporaneous composition, address, or remark.
(Mus.) A piece composed or played at first thought; a composition in the style of an extempore piece.