improvise

4 definitions • 5 examples

to invent or make something, such as a speech or a device, at the time when it is needed without already having planned it:

I hadn't prepared a speech so I suddenly had to improvise.

improvise something from something We improvised a mattress from a pile of blankets.

When actors or musicians improvise, they perform without prepared speech or music, making up the play, music, etc. as they perform it:

During certain scenes of the play there isn't any script and the actors just improvise (the dialogue).

to invent or provide something at the time when it is needed without having already planned it:

[ T ] We improvised a mattress from a pile of blankets.

To improvise music or speech is to invent it while you are performing it:

[ I ] Hughes encourages young actors to improvise during rehearsals.