Meaning & use
ad-lib
To speak, perform, or act without preparation, making up words or actions on the spot.
See it in a sentence
When the teleprompter failed, the host had to ad-lib the rest of the introduction.
The comedian often ad-libs jokes based on the audience's reactions during the show.
A note on using this word
Ad-lib comes from the Latin 'ad libitum,' meaning 'at one's pleasure'; it can function as a verb, an adjective ('an ad-lib remark'), or a noun.
Words with a similar meaning
improviseextemporize
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “ad-lib”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.