ad-lib meaning

UK US /ˈædlɪb/ 2 syllables

ad-lib (adjective): with little or no preparation or forethought.

ad-lib has 4 meanings in this dictionary, as adjective, noun and verb.

ad-lib as an adjective

  1. with little or no preparation or forethought
    • his ad-lib comments showed poor judgment
    • an extemporaneous piano recital
    • an extemporary lecture
    • an extempore skit
    • an impromptu speech
    • offhand excuses
    • trying to sound offhanded and reassuring
    • an off-the-cuff toast
    • a few unrehearsed comments

    Synonyms: extemporaneous, extemporary, extempore, impromptu, offhand, offhanded, off-the-cuff, unrehearsed

    Similar: unprepared

  2. said or done without having been planned or written in advance
    • he made a few ad-lib remarks

    Synonyms: spontaneous, unwritten

    Similar: unscripted

ad-lib as a noun

  1. remark made spontaneously without prior preparation
    • his ad-libs got him in trouble with the politicians

    Type of: remark

ad-lib as a verb

  1. perform without preparation
    • he extemporized a speech at the wedding

    Synonyms: improvise, improvize, extemporize, extemporise

    Type of: perform

How to pronounce ad-lib

ad-lib is pronounced /ˈædlɪb/ in American English. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.

More about ad-lib on Wikipedia.