ad-lib



ad-lib

1. adjective Of or characterized by an impromptu fashion, with little or no preparation beforehand. Jazz improv is always a bit ad-lib by design; you can't plan what you might play!
2. adverb Done in an impromptu or free-hand fashion, with little or no preparation beforehand. His comedy is always so unique; I hear he does the whole thing ad-lib.
3. noun Something, usually performative in nature, that is done with little or no preparation beforehand. His speech this morning felt like it was a bit of an ad-lib. I don't think he prepared any notes ahead of time.
4. verb To say, do, or perform something in an impromptu fashion, with little or no preparation beforehand. I had forgotten to rehearse my lines for the audition, so I just decided to ad-lib the whole way through.

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
DennisDEN-is (English), DE-nis (German), DEN-nis (Dutch)English, German, Dutch
InnaEE-nah (Russian)Russian, Ukrainian
GaŠPer-Slovene
CarleyKAHR-leeEnglish (Modern)
BennettBEN-ətEnglish
WiesŁAwVYE-swahfPolish