improvisation

A performance created as it happens, without a prepared script or rehearsal.

• The actors tried some improvisation.
• Her improvisation made the audience laugh.
• We watched three short improvisations based on suggestions from the crowd.

Similar words: improv, ad-libbing

Common phrases: stage improvisation, comic improvisation, improvisation exercise

Creating music, poetry, or similar work as you perform, without preparing it beforehand.

• Jazz often involves improvisation.
• He studied musical improvisation at college.
• Their improvisations turned a simple tune into something unexpected.

How to use it: improvisation on something (Her improvisation on the piano lasted five minutes.)

Similar words: spontaneous composition

Common phrases: jazz improvisation, musical improvisation, improvisation on something

The act of changing something to make it better.

• The writer uses improvisation to mean improvement.
• Here, improvisation refers to making a process better.
• In this account, improvisation means improving an existing design.

How to use it: improvisation of something (The report uses improvisation of the design to mean making it better.)

Similar words: improvement, enhancement

Opposites: deterioration

Common phrases: improvisation of something, gradual improvisation, further improvisation