ad-lib
ˌædˈlɪb
Definition Synonyms Conjugation

Definition of ad-lib - Reverso English Dictionary

Verb

tr./intr.
1.
performanceimprovise a speech or performance without preparation
  • The comedian decided to ad-lib his entire routine.
extemporize improvise
2.
create impromptumake up something spontaneously
  • She decided to ad-lib the introduction at the last moment..
extemporize improvise

Adjective

1.
improvisationimprovised or done without preparation
  • The actor gave an ad-lib response during the interview.
impromptu spontaneous unrehearsed
2.
unplannedperformed with little or no forethought
  • Her ad-lib comments surprised the audience.
improvised spontaneous unrehearsed
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Expressions with ad-lib

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speak without preparation or script
During the play, he had to speak ad-lib.

Origin of ad-lib

ad-lib: Latin, 'ad libitum' (at one's pleasure)

Examples of ad-lib in a sentence

  • During the play, she chose to ad-lib her lines.
  • He had to ad-lib his speech.
  • The actor chose to ad-lib his lines.
  • Her ad-lib remarks surprised the audience.
  • The comedian's ad-lib jokes were the highlight of the show.
  • His ad-lib speech was well-received by the crowd.

View all translations of ad-lib

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:improviser, improvisé, ...
  2. German:improvisieren, improvisiert, ...
  3. Italian:improvvisare, improvvisato, ...
  4. Spanish:improvisar, improvisado, ...
  5. Portuguese:improvisar, improvisado, ...
  6. Chinese:即兴表演, 即兴的, ...
  7. Japanese:即興で行う, アドリブの, ...
  8. Arabic:اِرْتَجَلَ, مرتجل, ...
  9. Hebrew:לְאַלְתֵּר, מְאוּלְתָּר, ...
  10. Russian:импровизировать, импровизированный, ...
  11. Ukrainian:імпровізувати, імпровізований, ...
  12. Hindi:तुरंत सुधारना, अनायास, ...
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