extemporaneously
extemporaneously Lexical Profile
• adverb
In a manner spoken, performed, or composed without prior preparation or a written script; on the spur of the moment.
"When the teleprompter malfunctioned during the keynote address, the senator spoke extemporaneously for twenty minutes without losing her composure."
Word Nuance & Usage
In formal rhetoric and public speaking, speaking 'extemporaneously' often implies delivering a speech that has been researched and outlined in advance but is spoken in the moment without a memorized script, whereas 'impromptu' implies having no prior warning or preparation at all.
• Rhymes for extemporaneously
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed from the adjective 'extemporaneous' plus the adverbial suffix '-ly'. 'Extemporaneous' derives from the Latin phrase 'ex tempore', meaning 'out of the time' or 'on the spur of the moment' (from 'ex', meaning 'out of', and 'tempus', meaning 'time').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.