impromptu
Impromptu (adj) means Done without any preparation or planning; spontaneous. Example: “They held an impromptu celebration in the office when the news broke.”
How to use impromptu
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDone on the spot, without any advance planning.
Impromptu and improvised are very close in meaning; impromptu leans toward "unplanned event," while improvised leans toward "made up on the spot to fill a gap."
Word forms
impromptus plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They held an _____ celebration in the office when the news broke.
Etymology
Borrowed from French impromptu, ultimately from Latin in promptu ("in readiness").
Frequently asked questions
What does “impromptu” mean?
The word “impromptu” means done without any preparation or planning; spontaneous. In plain terms, done on the spot, without any advance planning.
How do you pronounce “impromptu”?
“Impromptu” is pronounced ihm-PROMPT-yoo (/ɪmˈpɹɑmpt(j)u/ in IPA).
How do you use “impromptu” in a sentence?
Here is “impromptu” used in a sentence: “They held an impromptu celebration in the office when the news broke.”
What part of speech is “impromptu”?
“Impromptu” is an adjective.
Where does the word “impromptu” come from?
The word “impromptu” comes from Latin. Borrowed from French impromptu, ultimately from Latin in promptu ("in readiness").
Is “impromptu” a common word?
“Impromptu” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include impromptu: