ad lib

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See also: adlib, ad lib., and ad-lib

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Abbreviation of ad libitum, borrowed from New Latin ad libitum.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /æd ˈlɪb/, /ˈæd ˈlɪb/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Adverb

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ad lib (comparative more ad lib, superlative most ad lib)

  1. At pleasure.
  2. At will.
  3. To whatever extent.
    • 1951, Katherine Mansfield, Letters to John Middleton Murry, 1913-1922:
      For one thing I had a splendid supper when I got on board—a whack of cold, lean beef and pighells, bread, butter ad lib., tea, and plenty of good bread.
  4. Extemporaneously.

Synonyms

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Derived terms

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Translations

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The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Adjective

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ad lib (comparative more ad lib, superlative most ad lib)

  1. Extemporaneous, impromptu.

Translations

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Noun

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ad lib (plural ad libs)

  1. (acting) An instance of something improvised, especially a line.
  2. (music, chiefly hip-hop) Improvised vocals added after the main vocals have been recorded which serve to emphasize the rhythm or fill the lyrical bar line.

Verb

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

  1. To perform without script.
  2. To perform without preparation.
  3. To perform extemporaneously.
    She ad libbed the rest of the scene.
  4. (music, chiefly hip hop, intransitive) To perform ad libs; to improvise lyrics after the main lyrics have been recorded.
  5. (music, chiefly hip hop, transitive) To perform (lyrics) as ad libs.

Translations

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Anagrams

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