AD-LIB (ad-libbed, ad-libbing)
Dictionary entry overview: What does ad-lib mean?
• AD-LIB (noun)
The noun AD-LIB has 1 sense:
1. remark made spontaneously without prior preparation
Familiarity information: AD-LIB used as a noun is very rare.
• AD-LIB (adjective)
The adjective AD-LIB has 2 senses:
1. said or done without having been planned or written in advance
2. with little or no preparation or forethought
Familiarity information: AD-LIB used as an adjective is rare.
• AD-LIB (verb)
The verb AD-LIB has 1 sense:
1. perform without preparation
Familiarity information: AD-LIB used as a verb is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
• AD-LIB (noun)
Meaning:
Remark made spontaneously without prior preparation
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Context example:
his ad-libs got him in trouble with the politicians
Hypernyms ("ad-lib" is a kind of...):
comment; remark (a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief)
• AD-LIB (adjective)
Meaning:
Said or done without having been planned or written in advance
Synonyms:
ad-lib; spontaneous; unwritten
Context example:
he made a few ad-lib remarks
Similar:
unscripted (not furnished with or using a script)
Meaning:
With little or no preparation or forethought
Synonyms:
unrehearsed; offhanded; offhand; off-the-cuff; impromptu; extempore; extemporary; extemporaneous; ad-lib
Context examples:
his ad-lib comments showed poor judgment / an extemporaneous piano recital / an extemporary lecture / an extempore skit / an impromptu speech / offhand excuses / trying to sound offhanded and reassuring / an off-the-cuff toast / a few unrehearsed comments
Similar:
unprepared (without preparation; not prepared for)
• AD-LIB (verb)
Meaning:
Perform without preparation
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Synonyms:
improvize; improvise; extemporise; ad-lib; extemporize
Context example:
he extemporized a speech at the wedding
Hypernyms (to "ad-lib" is one way to...):
do; execute; perform (carry out or perform an action)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Sentence example:
They will ad-lib the duet
"Never, Never... allow anyone to persuade you to suspend your common sense." (English proverb)
"Tell me and I'll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I'll understand." (Native American proverb, tribe unknown)
"People are enemies of that which they don't know." (Arabic proverb)
"Better a good neighbour than a distant friend." (Dutch proverb)
