Definition

1. Verb:
   • To speak or perform without prior preparation or rehearsal: To create or deliver something spontaneously, often in response to an immediate situation or need.
   • To manage or create something using whatever is available: To devise or carry out a plan using makeshift materials or methods when proper resources are lacking.

Usage

The verb "extemporize" is used to describe the act of improvising, typically in speech, music, or action. It implies a degree of skill in thinking and acting on the spot. It is a formal term.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The speaker forgot his notes and had to extemporize his entire presentation.
  • The jazz pianist loved to extemporize during his solos, creating new melodies each night.
  • When the prop broke, the actor had to extemporize a line to cover the mistake.

Advanced Usage

• "to extemporize on a theme": to improvise or speak spontaneously based on a given topic.
  • The professor asked the student to extemporize on the causes of the French Revolution.

Variants and Related Words

• Extemporization (n): The act or result of extemporizing.
  • Her brilliant extemporization saved the meeting.
• Extemporaneous (adj): Spoken or done without preparation.
  • He gave an extemporaneous speech that was both moving and insightful.

Synonyms

• Improvise: To create or perform spontaneously.
• Ad-lib: To speak or act without preparation (often used in performing arts).
• Wing it (informal): To do something without planning or preparation.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Extemporize" itself does not commonly form phrasal verbs. The concept is typically expressed with synonyms like "improvise.")

Related Idioms

• "To play it by ear": To decide how to deal with a situation as it develops, rather than by having a fixed plan. This idiom is related in spirit to extemporizing.
  • We don't have a script for this scene, so we'll just have to play it by ear.

Verb

1. perform without preparation
   • he extemporized a speech at the wedding
2. manage in a makeshift way; do with whatever is at hand
   • after the hurricane destroyed our house, we had to improvise for weeks