impromptu

Etymology

Borrowed from French impromptu.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ɪmˈpɹɒmptju/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ɪmˈpɹɑmpt(j)u/

Adjective

impromptu (not comparable)

1. Improvised; without prior preparation, planning or rehearsal

   The party began with an impromptu rendition of 'Happy Birthday'.

   Synonyms: extemporaneous, unplanned

Noun

impromptu (plural impromptus)

1. (music) a short musical composition for an informal occasion often with the character of improvisation and usually to be played solo.
2. any composition, musical or otherwise, that is created on the spot without preparation.

Etymology

From Latin adverbial locution in promptu; in + prōmptus (“ready, at hand”)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛ̃.pʁɔ̃p.ty/

Adjective

impromptu (feminine singular impromptue, masculine plural impromptus, feminine plural impromptues)

1. improvised, not planned.

   une visite impromptue.

Noun

impromptu m (plural impromptus)

1. improvised action

   À l'impromptu.

   Talleyrand prévoyait à l'avance ses bons mots, que la circonstance lui tirait ensuite à l'impromptu. (Sainte-Beuve, Pensées, 1868)

2. (music) impromptu

   Quand je faisais mentalement des réserves sur Fauré, celles-ci portaient sur les Barcarolles, les Nocturnes et les Impromptus. (Du Bos, Journal, 1928)

References

• “impromptu” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Further reading

• “impromptu” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Etymology

Borrowed from French impromptu.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -u

Noun

impromptu m (invariable)

1. (music) impromptu