extemporaneous

[ ik-stem-puh-rey-nee-uhs ]
/ ɪkˌstɛm pəˈreɪ ni əs /

adjective

done, spoken, performed, etc., without special advance preparation; impromptu: an extemporaneous speech.
previously planned but delivered with the help of few or no notes: extemporaneous lectures.
speaking or performing with little or no advance preparation: extemporaneous actors.
made for the occasion, as a shelter.

Origin of extemporaneous

First recorded in 1650–60, extemporaneous is from the Late Latin word extemporāneus on the spur of the moment. See extempore, -an, -eous

SYNONYMS FOR extemporaneous

1, 2 Extemporaneous ( extempore ), impromptu, improvised are used of expression given without preparation or only partial preparation. Extemporaneous and impromptu may both refer to speeches given without any preparation: an extemporaneous ( impromptu ) speech. Extemporaneous may also refer to a speech given from notes or an outline: extemporaneous lectures. Impromptu also refers to poems, songs, etc., delivered without preparation and at a moment's notice. Improvised is applied to something composed (recited, sung, acted), at least in part, as one goes along: an improvised piano accompaniment.

ANTONYMS FOR extemporaneous

1 memorized.

OTHER WORDS FROM extemporaneous

ex·tem·po·ra·ne·ous·ly, adverb ex·tem·po·ra·ne·ous·ness, ex·tem·po·ra·ne·i·ty [ik-stem-puh-ruh-nee-i-tee] /ɪkˌstɛm pə rəˈni ɪ ti/, noun

Words nearby extemporaneous

Example sentences from the Web for extemporaneous

British Dictionary definitions for extemporaneous

extemporaneous

extemporary (ɪkˈstɛmpərərɪ, -prərɪ)

/ (ɪkˌstɛmpəˈreɪnɪəs) /

adjective

spoken, performed, etc, without planning or preparation; impromptu; extempore
done in a temporary manner; improvised

Derived forms of extemporaneous

extemporaneously or extemporarily, adverb extemporaneousness or extemporariness, noun