ad lib

Meaning

Adv

1. At pleasure.
2. At will.
3. As much as desired, to one's fill, without restriction.
4. Extemporaneously.

Adj

Extemporaneous, impromptu.

Noun

1. An instance of something improvised, especially a line.
2. Improvised vocals added after the main vocals have been recorded which serve to emphasize the rhythm or fill the lyrical bar line.

Verb

1. To perform without a script.
2. To perform without preparation.
3. To perform extemporaneously.
4. (intransitive) To perform ad libs; to improvise lyrics after the main lyrics have been recorded.
5. (transitive) To perform (lyrics) as ad libs.

Synonyms

ad-lib

extemporize

ad libitum

impromptu

spontaneously

extempore

extemporization

’ad-lib’ has come to be used as a verb rather than an adverb

In modern English language

improvisation

improvise

offhanded

ex tempore

extemporaneously

extemporarily

Translations

improviser

improvisieren

improvisar

à vontade

beliebig

impromptu

de improviso

improvisiert

unvorbereitet

ad libitum

nach

Improvisation

improvisation

improvisé

à discrétion

Pronounced as (IPA)

/æd ˈlɪb/

Etymology

Abbreviation of ad libitum, borrowed from New Latin ad libitum.