impromptu
pronunciation
How to pronounce impromptu in British English:
UK [ɪmˈprɒmptjuː]
How to pronounce impromptu in American English:
US [ɪmˈprɑːmptuː]
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- Noun:
- an extemporaneous speech or remark
- a short musical passage that seems to have been made spontaneously without advance preparation
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- Adjective:
- with little or no preparation or forethought
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- Adverb:
- without advance preparation
Word Origin
- impromptu
- 1660s (adv.), 1764 (adj.), from French impromptu (1650s), from Latin in promptu "in readiness," from assimilated form of in- "into, in, on, upon" (see in- (2)) + promptu, ablative of promptus "readiness," from past participle of promere "to bring out," from pro- "before, forward, for" + emere "to obtain" (see exempt).
Example
- 1. The stunning results of this impromptu survey prompted further investigation .
- 2. Security forces at a impromptu checkpoint marked by a small minibus wave us by .
- 3. Later in his impromptu speech mr sha turned to an american colleague , singling out bob orr , from the executive office of the secretary-general .
- 4. His speech was met with impromptu applause .
- 5. Would it have been better to hear the impromptu ramblings of a nervous speaker in total cognitive meltdown ?