ad lib
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ad lib
- /æd ˈlɪb/
- /ˈæd ˈlɪb/
Where it comes from
Abbreviation of ad libitum, borrowed from New Latin ad libitum.
adverb more ad lib · most ad lib · ad lib. · ad-lib · adlib
-
At pleasure.
Similar: a piacere
- At will.
- As much as desired, to one's fill, without restriction. For one thing I had a splendid supper when I got on board—a whack of cold, lean beef and pighells, bread, butter ad lib., tea, and plenty of good bread.
-
Extemporaneously.
Similar: ex tempore, extempore, impromptu, on the fly
adjective more ad lib · most ad lib · ad lib. · ad-lib · adlib
- Extemporaneous, impromptu. We were shocked to learn that the entire show was an ad lib performance. How did they weave it together so expertly on the fly?
- That provides as much as each one desires, to each one's fill, without restriction. ad lib feed
noun ad libs · ad lib. · ad-lib · adlib
- An instance of something improvised, especially a line.
- Improvised vocals added after the main vocals have been recorded which serve to emphasize the rhythm or fill the lyrical bar line.
verb ad libs · ad libbing · ad libbed · ad lib. · ad-lib
-
To perform without a script.
Similar: fake
- To perform without preparation.
- To perform extemporaneously. She ad libbed the rest of the scene.
- To perform ad libs; to improvise lyrics after the main lyrics have been recorded.
- To perform (lyrics) as ad libs.
Translations
Every language
adv at pleasure
| Español | ad libitum, ad líbitum |
|---|---|
| Português | à vontade |
| Deutsch | beliebig, nach Herzenslust, nach Belieben |
| Русский | как уго́дно kak ugódno |
adv at will
| Español | ad libitum, ad líbitum |
|---|---|
| Português | à vontade |
| Français | ad libitum |
| Deutsch | beliebig |
| Русский | по жела́нию po želániju |
adv as much as desired, without restriction
| Français | à discrétion, ad libitum |
|---|---|
| Русский | ско́лько уго́дно skólʹko ugódno |
adv extemporaneously
| Deutsch | improvisiert |
|---|---|
| Русский | экспро́мтом eksprómtom |
adj extemporaneous
| Español | improvisado |
|---|---|
| Português | improvisado |
| Deutsch | improvisiert, unvorbereitet |
verb to perform without script
| Español | improvisar |
|---|---|
| Português | improvisar |
| Français | improviser |
| Deutsch | improvisieren |
verb to perform without preparation
| Español | improvisar |
|---|---|
| Português | improvisar |
| Français | improviser |
| Deutsch | improvisieren |
verb to perform extemporaneously
| Español | improvisar |
|---|---|
| Português | improvisar |
| Français | improviser |
| Deutsch | improvisieren |
Talk about this word "ad lib." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/ad%20lib. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. ad lib. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/ad%20lib "ad lib." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/ad%20lib.Cite this
@misc{ad_lib_2026,
title = {ad lib},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/ad%20lib},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
