AD-LIB (ad-libbed, ad-libbing)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: ad-libbed    , ad-libbing   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does ad-lib mean? 

• AD-LIB (noun)
  The noun AD-LIB has 1 sense:

1. remark made spontaneously without prior preparation

  Familiarity information: AD-LIB used as a noun is very rare.

• AD-LIB (adjective)
  The adjective AD-LIB has 2 senses:

1. with little or no preparation or forethought

2. said or done without having been planned or written in advance

  Familiarity information: AD-LIB used as an adjective is rare.

• AD-LIB (verb)
  The verb AD-LIB has 1 sense:

1. perform without preparation

  Familiarity information: AD-LIB used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• AD-LIB (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Remark made spontaneously without prior preparation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

his ad-libs got him in trouble with the politicians

Hypernyms ("ad-lib" is a kind of...):

comment; input; remark (a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information)

Derivation:

ad-lib (perform without preparation)

• AD-LIB (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

With little or no preparation or forethought

Synonyms:

ad-lib; extemporaneous; extemporary; extempore; impromptu; off-the-cuff; offhand; offhanded; unrehearsed

Context example:

a few unrehearsed comments

Similar:

unprepared (without preparation; not prepared for)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Said or done without having been planned or written in advance

Synonyms:

ad-lib; spontaneous; unwritten

Context example:

he made a few ad-lib remarks

Similar:

unscripted (not furnished with or using a script)

• AD-LIB (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they ad-lib    ... he / she / it ad-libs   
Past simple: ad-libbed   
Past participle: ad-libbed   
-ing form: ad-libbing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Perform without preparation

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

ad-lib; extemporise; extemporize; improvise; improvize

Context example:

he extemporized a speech at the wedding

Hypernyms (to "ad-lib" is one way to...):

do; execute; perform (carry out or perform an action)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

They will ad-lib the duet

Derivation:

ad-lib (remark made spontaneously without prior preparation)