Words / C1

ik-STEMP-uh-ryz/ɪkˈstempəraɪz/

To extemporise is to speak or perform without preparation: extemporise the abstract, extemporise a reply (UK spelling). Improvise (already in the dictionary) is the close twin; do not invent the n on the night.

Meaning

To speak or perform without preparation (UK spelling; from improvise, already in the dictionary).

Examples

• “Do not extemporise the n in the abstract; write the raw count first.”
• “Improvise is already in this course. Ad-lib is the close twin. A night guess is talk. A codebook line is methods. Write the raw number; then polish the abstract if the rule still allows it.”

Good to know

Speak or perform unprepared (UK). Close: improvise (already in the dictionary). A guess ≠ a count.

Near in meaning

improvise, ad-lib, wing it

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