Standard Lemma guide

extemporaneously

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

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Pronunciation

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1

adv

Meaning 1

In an extemporaneous manner; without prior preparation or planning.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: improvisationally, provisionally, at will, at pleasure
  • Considering that he was speaking extemporaneously, he covered the subject pretty well.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: ex tempore, extempore, ad lib, impromptu, on the fly, improvisationally, provisionally, at will, at pleasure

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

without prior preparation

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he spoke extemporaneously

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: extemporarily, extempore

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English extemporaneous Middle English -ly English -ly English extemporaneously From extemporaneous + -ly.