[syn: improvise, improvize, ad-lib, extemporize, extemporise]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Extemporize \Ex*tem"po*rize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p.
Extemporized; p. pr. & vb. n. Extemporizing.]
To speak extempore; especially, to discourse without special
preparation; to make an offhand address.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Extemporize \Ex*tem"po*rize\, v. t.
To do, make, or utter extempore or off-hand; to prepare in
great haste, under urgent necessity, or with scanty or
unsuitable materials; as, to extemporize a dinner, a costume,
etc.
[1913 Webster]
Themistocles . . . was of all men the best able to
extemporize the right thing to be done. --Jowett
(Thucyd. ).
[1913 Webster]
Pitt, of whom it was said that he could extemporize a
Queen's speech --Lord
Campbell.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
extemporize
v 1: manage in a makeshift way; do with whatever is at hand;
"after the hurricane destroyed our house, we had to
improvise for weeks" [syn: improvise, extemporize]
2: perform without preparation; "he extemporized a speech at the
wedding" [syn: improvise, improvize, ad-lib,
extemporize, extemporise]
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:
28 Moby Thesaurus words for "extemporize":
ad-lib, be caught napping, be surprised, be taken unawares,
be unprepared, cook up, dash off, do offhand, fake,
go off half-cocked, have no plan, improvisate, improvise, jury-rig,
knock off, lash up, make up, play by ear, scrap the plan,
strike off, throw off, throw together, toss off, toss out, vamp,
whip up, whomp up, wing it