extempore

Extempore, from the Latin ex tempore meaning “out of time” or “offhand,” is an adjective and adverb used to describe speech, performance, or composition created without advance preparation. It is often used interchangeably with extemporaneous, though extempore can carry a more formal or traditional tone in some varieties of English.

In public speaking, an extempore speech is delivered with little or no written text, relying on the speaker’s knowledge of the topic and ability to think on their feet. In theatre, extempore acting involves improvising lines or scenes rather than delivering a memorized script. In music, an extempore or extemporized piece is improvised at the moment rather than performed from a score. In poetry, extempore verse is composed on the spot.

Historically, extempore performance has been valued in oratory and music for its spontaneity and adaptability, requiring quick thinking, a broad knowledge base, and flexible execution. Today the term marks improvised acts across disciplines and is commonly used in educational and performance contexts to describe live, unscripted delivery or creation. Extempore is often contrasted with prepared or written works, which may be presented with minimal or no notes but were created in advance, rather than produced entirely on the spot.