Ad Lib Definition
ăd lĭb
ad-libbed, ad-libbing, ad-libs
adverb
In an unrestrained manner; spontaneously.
American Heritage
At pleasure.
Wiktionary
At will.
Wiktionary
To whatever extent.
Wiktionary
Wiktionary
Antonyms:
- rehearsed
- deliberately
- written
- planned
- prepositionared
verb
ad-libbed, ad-libbing, ad-libs
To improvise and deliver extemporaneously.
Ad-lib a comic monologue.
American Heritage
To improvise (words, gestures, etc. not in a prepared speech, script, etc.); extemporize.
Webster's New World
To engage in improvisation, as during delivery of a speech.
American Heritage
Alternative spelling of ad-lib.
Wiktionary
To perform without script.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
noun
ad-libs
Words, music, or actions uttered, performed, or carried out extemporaneously.
American Heritage
The act of ad-libbing or an ad-libbed remark.
Webster's New World
Alternative spelling of ad-lib.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
- extemporization
- improvisation
- impromptu
- unsuitedness
- unqualifiedness
- unqualification
- unfittedness
- nonpreparation
- improvision
- extemporaneousness
- unbegun
- planlessness
adjective
Uttered, performed, or carried out spontaneously.
Heckled the speaker with ad-lib comments.
American Heritage
Spoken or done extemporaneously.
Webster's New World
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
- deliberate
- rehearsed
- prepositionared
- written
- planned
abbreviation
Ad libitum.
Webster's New World
As needed.
Webster's New World
Origin of Ad Lib
-
abbreviation of ad libitum, from New Latin ad libitum.
From Wiktionary
Short for ad libitum
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From ad lib.
From Wiktionary
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