impromptu
im-PROMP-too
/ɪmˈprɒmptjuː/
Done without being planned, organized, or rehearsed.
Impromptu implies absolute spontaneity—speaking or acting on the spur of the moment with zero prior preparation.
The story behind the word. Impromptu comes from the Latin phrase in promptu, meaning 'in readiness' or 'at hand'. It originally described having something ready to go at a moment's notice, which eventually evolved into doing something immediately without any preparation at all.
Word relationships
- spontaneous: Spontaneous refers to natural, unforced behavior or events, while impromptu specifically refers to speeches or performances done without preparation.
- extemporaneous: Extemporaneous speeches are carefully planned and structured but delivered without a written script, while impromptu speeches are completely unplanned.
- rehearsed: Rehearsed means practiced and prepared in advance, the exact opposite of impromptu.
- planned: Planned implies systematic preparation before execution.
Commonly confused with
- extemporaneous: Extemporaneous means prepared but unscripted; impromptu means entirely unprepared.
Word family
- impromptus (noun): Plural form, often referring to short, improvisational musical compositions.
Collocations
- impromptu speech
- impromptu meeting
- impromptu performance
- impromptu toast
Example sentences
- "It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech." A famous quote about preparation.
- "When the team won the championship, the fans threw an impromptu parade in the streets." A spontaneous celebration.
Memory hook
Impromptu has the word 'prompt' in it. Imagine responding to a 'prompt' instantly, without any time to prepare. Speaking instantly on the spot.
When not to use
Do not use impromptu if you have prepared notes or have thought about the speech beforehand (use extemporaneous instead).
Fun facts
- In classical music, an 'impromptu' is a free-form instrumental composition designed to sound as if it were being improvised on the spot by the pianist.
Related words
Explore more words
improvise, spontaneous, improvisation, impulsive, haphazard, impetuous
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