improvise
UK/'ɪmprəvaɪz/US/'imprәvaiz/
IELTSTOEFLGREC2
Definitions
v.
To create or perform without preparation, on the spot.
即兴创作；即兴表演
v.
To make do with whatever is at hand.
临时凑合；随机应变
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedim- (not) + pro- (ahead) + vise (see) = 'not seen ahead.' To improvise is to act on something un-foreseen — you had no chance to provide for it, so you make it up as you go. Same pro-vid- core as provide, just negated.
Root vis still carries 107 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.improvise a solution即兴想出解决方案
- 2.forced to improvise被迫临时应变
Example Sentences
- 1.
When the speaker forgot his notes, he had to improvise.
- 2.
The jazz band improvised for twenty minutes.