impromptu
/im'prɔmptju:/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Done or said without any preparation or planning: Describes something performed, spoken, or created spontaneously, often on the spur of the moment.
- Made or done on the spot: Refers to an action that is improvised and not rehearsed.
Adverb:
- Without preparation or rehearsal: Describes the manner in which an action, especially speaking or performing, is carried out spontaneously.
Noun:
- A short piece of music, speech, or performance that is created spontaneously: Often refers to a musical composition or a remark that has an improvised, spontaneous character.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- The president gave an impromptu press conference on the tarmac.
- We were treated to an impromptu piano performance by the guest of honor.
Adverb:
- She spoke impromptu for nearly twenty minutes, captivating the entire audience.
- The comedian is brilliant at performing *impromptu.
Noun:
- The pianist played a beautiful *impromptu.
- His witty impromptu during the meeting broke the tension.
Advanced Usage
"To do something impromptu": To perform an action spontaneously, without prior arrangement.
- They decided impromptu to go on a road trip.
Used to describe informal gatherings: An impromptu party or meeting is one that is organized spontaneously.
- We had an impromptu gathering at my place after the concert.
Variants and Related Words
- Impromptu can function as an adjective, adverb, and noun without changing form.
- Extemporaneous (adj): Similar in meaning, often used for speeches given with little preparation but possibly with some prior thought.
- Ad-lib (v/n/adj): To speak or act without preparation; something said or done in this way.
- Off-the-cuff (adj/adv): Informal, meaning said or done without preparation.
Synonyms
- Spontaneous
- Unrehearsed
- Improvised
- Extempore (adj/adv)
- Offhand
Antonyms
- Planned
- Rehearsed
- Prepared
- Scripted
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "Off the top of one's head": Similar to speaking impromptu, meaning to say something immediately without careful thought or research.
- I can't give you exact figures off the top of my head.
Adjective
- with little or no preparation or forethought
- 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
- he spoke ad lib
Noun
- a short musical passage that seems to have been made spontaneously without advance preparation
- an extemporaneous speech or remark
- a witty impromptu must not sound premeditated