Made or done without planning or preparation, using whatever materials or ideas are available at the moment.
From Italian 'improvvisare' meaning to compose or perform extemporaneously. The word entered English in the 1700s from music and theater, where performers created on the spot.
Jazz, commedia dell'arte, and stand-up comedy all depend on improvisation—interestingly, all three art forms come from cultures that valued quick wit and adaptability as survival skills!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.