ad-lib

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See also: adlib and ad lib

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From ad lib.

Verb

ad-lib (third-person singular simple present ad-libs, present participle ad-libbing, simple past and past participle ad-libbed)

  1. To improvise all or part of a speech or other performance, especially in comedy.
    • 1998 December 21, The New Yorker:
      Hope’s onstage ad-libbing generated more humor and attention than the show’s lacklustre libretto.
    • 2004 March 15, The New Yorker:
      I watched Jeb Bush as his brother spoke. He paid attention, grinned and laughed, even ad-libbed when called upon.

Derived terms

Descendants

  • Korean: 드립 (deurip, inappropriate or risqué joke)

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