Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [ad-lib, ad-]
- /ˈad lɪb/
- /æd lɪb/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
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- [ad-lib, ad-]
- /ˈad lɪb/
Definitions of ad-lib word
- verb ad-lib If you ad-lib something in a play or a speech, you say something which has not been planned or written beforehand. 3
- countable noun ad-lib An ad-lib is something which is said without having been planned or written beforehand. 3
- countable noun ad-lib Ad lib is also an adverb. 3
- verb ad-lib to improvise and deliver without preparation (a speech, musical performance, etc) 3
- adjective ad-lib improvised; impromptu 3
- adverb ad-lib without restraint; freely 3
Information block about the term
Origin of ad-lib
First appearance:
before 1915 One of the 14% newest English words
1915-20, Americanism; v. use of ad lib
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Ad-lib
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
ad-lib popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 53% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data about 73% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.
Synonyms for ad-lib
adj ad-lib
- improvise — to compose and perform or deliver without previous preparation; extemporize: to improvise an acceptance speech.
- impromptu — made or done without previous preparation: an impromptu address to the unexpected crowds.
- improvised — made or said without previous preparation: an improvised skit.
- ad libitum — (to be performed) at the performer's discretion
- made-up — concocted; falsely fabricated or invented: a made-up story.
adv ad-lib
- off the cuff — with little or no preparation; extemporaneous; impromptu: a speaker with a good off-the-cuff delivery.
- spontaneously — coming or resulting from a natural impulse or tendency; without effort or premeditation; natural and unconstrained; unplanned: a spontaneous burst of applause.
- off the top of one's head — the upper part of the body in humans, joined to the trunk by the neck, containing the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
Antonyms for ad-lib
adj ad-lib
- deliberate — If you do something that is deliberate, you planned or decided to do it beforehand, and so it happens on purpose rather than by chance.
- planned — arranged, organized, or done in accordance with a plan: a planned attack.
- prepared — properly expectant, organized, or equipped; ready: prepared for a hurricane.
- written — a past participle of write.
adv ad-lib
- deliberately — carefully weighed or considered; studied; intentional: a deliberate lie.
verb ad-lib
- prepare — to put in proper condition or readiness: to prepare a patient for surgery.
- rehearse — to practice (a musical composition, a play, a speech, etc.) in private prior to a public presentation.
- write — to trace or form (characters, letters, words, etc.) on the surface of some material, as with a pen, pencil, or other instrument or means; inscribe: Write your name on the board.
- plan — a scheme or method of acting, doing, proceeding, making, etc., developed in advance: battle plans.
Top questions with ad-lib
- what is an ad-lib?
- what is ad-lib feeding?