Definitions for AD LIBæd ˈlɪb, ˈæd
Random House Webster's College Dictionary
ad libæd ˈlɪb, ˈæd(n.)
something improvised in speech, music, etc.
(adv.)at one's pleasure; without restriction.
freely; as needed.
Category: Common Vocabulary
Origin of ad lib:
1810–20; see ad libitum
ad-libædˈlɪb, ˈæd-(v.; adj.)-libbed, -lib•bing
(v.t.)to improvise all or part of (a speech, a piece of music, etc.).
(v.i.)to act, speak, etc., without preparation.
(adj.)impromptu; extemporaneous:
ad-lib remarks.
Origin of ad-lib:
1915–20, Amer.
ad-lib′ber(n.)
ad lib.
ad libitum.
Princeton's WordNet
ad-lib(adj)
remark made spontaneously without prior preparation
"his ad-libs got him in trouble with the politicians"
ad-lib, extemporaneous, extemporary, extempore, impromptu, offhand, offhanded, off-the-cuff, unrehearsed(adj)
with little or no preparation or forethought
"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"
ad-lib, spontaneous, unwritten(verb)
said or done without having been planned or written in advance
"he made a few ad-lib remarks"
improvise, improvize, ad-lib, extemporize, extemporise(adverb)
perform without preparation
"he extemporized a speech at the wedding"
ad lib, ad libitum, spontaneously, impromptu(adverb)
without advance preparation
"he spoke ad lib"
Wiktionary
ad lib(Verb)
To perform without script.
ad lib(Verb)
To perform without preparation.
ad lib(Verb)
To perform extemporaneously.
ad lib(Adverb)
At pleasure.
ad lib(Adverb)
At will.
ad lib(Adverb)
To whatever extent.
ad lib(Adverb)
Extemporaneously.
ad lib(Adjective)
Extemporaneous, impromptu.
Origin: abbreviation of ad libitum, from New Latin ad libitum.
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