Impromptu

//ɪmˈpɹɑmpt(j)u// adj, noun

adj, noun ·Moderate ·High school level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A short musical composition for an informal occasion often with the character of improvisation and usually to be played solo.

    "The second impromptu is a dance-like Allegretto in A flat major, with a trio in D flat major employing arpeggiated textures."

  2. 2
    an extemporaneous speech or remark wordnet
  3. 3
    Any composition, musical or otherwise, that is created on the spot without preparation. broadly
  4. 4
    a short musical passage that seems to have been made spontaneously without advance preparation wordnet
Adjective
  1. 1
    Improvised; without prior preparation, planning or rehearsal. not-comparable

    "The party began with an impromptu rendition of 'Happy Birthday'."

Adjective
  1. 1
    with little or no preparation or forethought wordnet
Adverb
  1. 1
    without advance preparation wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
extemporaneousextemporaneousad libad libad libad libitum

Example

More examples

"A musician friend of mine gave an impromptu performance of a piece he had just finished composing."

Etymology

Borrowed from French impromptu.

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.