ad-lib

See also ad lib

English

Etymology

From ad lib.

Verb

ad-lib (third-person singular simple present ad-libs, present participle ad-libbing, simple past and past participle ad-libbed)

1. To improvise all or part of a speech or other performance, especially in comedy.
   • 1998 December 21, The New Yorker,

     Hope’s onstage ad-libbing generated more humor and attention than the show’s lacklustre libretto.

   • 2004 March 15, The New Yorker,

     I watched Jeb Bush as his brother spoke. He paid attention, grinned and laughed, even ad-libbed when called upon.

Derived terms

• ad-libber

Translations

to improvise

• French: improviser (fr)

• Spanish: improvisar (es)