improv

English

Etymology

Clipping of improvisation and improvise.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈɪmpɹɑv/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈɪmpɹɒv/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• Hyphenation: im‧prov

Noun

improv (countable and uncountable, plural improvs)

1. (informal) Improvisation.
2. (acting) A form of live entertainment characterized by improvisation and interaction with the audience.
   • 2024 May 14, Clay Drinko, “Lower Your Expectations”, in Psychology Today‎:

     During one improv workshop, Keith Johnstone told me to clear my mind and start again.

Synonyms

• impro

Derived terms

• improver
• improvisational comedy
• improvisational theatre
• netprov
• soloprov
• twoprov

Translations

informal: improvisation

French: impro (fr) f

Verb

improv (third-person singular simple present improvs, present participle improvving, simple past and past participle improvved)

1. To perform improv.