extempore

UK: /ɪkˈstɛmpərɪ/ US: (ik stem′pə rē)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ex•tem•po•re  (ik stem′pə rē), adv. 

1. on the spur of the moment;
   without premeditation or preparation;
   offhand:
   Questions were asked extempore from the floor.
2. without notes:
   to speak extempore.
3. Music and Dance (of musical performance) by improvisation.

adj. 

4. extemporaneous;
   impromptu.

• Latin: literally, out of the time, at the moment, equivalent. to ex out of (see ex-¹) + tempore the time (ablative singular of tempus)
• 1545–55

Synonyms

• 4. See extemporaneous. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

extempore / ɪkˈstɛmpərɪ/ adverb , adjective

1. without planning or preparation; impromptu

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin ex tempore instantaneously, from ex-¹ out of + tempus time