# impromptu

/ˌɪmˈpɹɑmptu/ (US) · /ɪmpɹˈɒmptuː/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/impromptu
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

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.

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

## Examples

- The team held an impromptu celebration after winning the game.
- When the guest speaker failed to arrive, the professor gave an impromptu lecture on her recent research.
- 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 notes

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

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