English Reference
Adjective

impromptu

adj.
C1 Advanced US /ˌɪmˈpɹɑmptu/ UK /ɪmpɹˈɒmptuː/ im·promp·tu UK spelling impromptus Music

adj.done or said without any preparation or planning. You use this when someone does something on the spot because they have to or want to.

adj.planned, organized, or performed without advance preparation; extemporaneous. Often used to describe speeches, performances, or social gatherings.


SIMPLE

The team held an impromptu celebration after winning the game.

CONTEXTUAL

When the guest speaker failed to arrive, the professor gave an impromptu lecture on her recent research.

COMPLEX

The jazz musicians engaged in an impromptu jam session that lasted until dawn, showcasing their ability to harmonize without a written score or prior rehearsal.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun; can also follow linking verbs like 'be' or 'seem'.

He takes me on an impromptu tour, showing me the living room that held Mouly’s huge, 1,000lb Multilith printing press, until they had a toddler and it became too dangerous to keep.

The Guardian· 15 Aug 2026

She looks mischievous when she thinks about the impromptu party, but declines to go into detail about what, exactly, went on.

The Guardian· 28 Aug 2026

Borrowed from French impromptu.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin French impromptu
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated