Other forms: improvised, improvising, improvises
To improvise is to make music up as you play it. Improvise a solo, improvised for four minutes, improvise over the changes.
In jazz it is the whole point, and improvising over a chord sequence is a skill built on years of practice rather than the absence of it. Improvisation is central to Indian classical music and to organ playing. Outside music it means making do with whatever is available: improvise a splint, improvise a meal. Note improviser; and that improvised explosive device is where IED comes from.
1verbimproviseTo make music up as you play it.
“The jazz pianist had no sheet music, so he improvised the whole piece.”
2verbwhateverTo make do with whatever is available.
“We forgot the tent poles, so we improvised with branches and rope.”
3verbplanTo do or make something without preparing it, working it out as you go.
“The speaker lost her notes and had to improvise for twenty minutes.”
Latin improvisus means unforeseen — in-, not, plus provisus, seen ahead. Improvising is doing what was not provided for, which links it directly to provide and providence.
Latin
improvisus
French
improviser
English, today
improvise
From French improviser; ultimately from Latin improvisus.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA