Extemporaneous
Done without prior preparation; improvised or spur-of-the-moment.
adjectiveExtemporaneous
Done without prior preparation; improvised or spur-of-the-moment.
adjectiveImagine This
The ex-temporary secretary, Ms. Messy, was asked not to come back to the office again because she usually did things without planning and made a lot of silly mistakes.
Sounds Like
ek-STEM-puh-RAY-nee-uhs
Looks Like
ex-temporary
Remember This
Temporary personnel agencies are becoming popular to help companies fill office positions on a temporary basis. The main drawback of hiring a temporary office worker is that they typically lack experience and commitment.
Other Forms
Connect With
impromptu, ad-lib, spontaneous, improvised, unscripted
Note
Extemporaneous refers to speaking or performing without preparation. For formal writing, prefer 'impromptu' or 'unrehearsed' depending on context. The adverb is 'extemporaneously'.
Study Deeper
- The coach gave an extemporaneous pep talk after the game, speaking off the cuff about the team's performance.
- During the interview, she delivered an extemporaneous response that surprised the judges with its insight.
From Latin ex tempore meaning 'out of the moment' (ex- = out, tempore = time).
Mnemonic: EX-TEMP means 'out of time' — extemporaneous actions are done on the spot, without time to rehearse.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Spontaneous
adjectiveProduced by a sudden inner impulse or without premeditation; happening naturally and unplanned; arising from within rather than being forced from without.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.