improv
UK[ˈɪmprɒv]US[ˈɪmprɑːv]
n
a form of live theatre, comedy, or other performance in which the plot, characters, and dialogue are created spontaneously by the performers.
Etymology
the term "improv" is a twentieth-century american english shortening of "improvisation" or the phrase "improvisational theatre". the parent word, "improvisation", entered english from french, which derived it from the italian "improvvisare", meaning "to sing or speak extemporaneously". this italian verb itself stems from the latin "improvisus", meaning "unforeseen", a compound of the negative prefix "in-" and "providus" (foreseeing). thus, the core concept embedded in "improv" is the art of creating something without prior preparation, directly linking the unforeseen nature of its latin root to the spontaneous, unscripted performances of modern comedy and theatre.
Analysis
the word is a clipped form of "improvisation" or "improvisational theatre". it is not composed of smaller, independent morphemes in its current form.
Examples
the comedy club is famous for its nightly improv shows.
she took an improv class to become more confident in public speaking.
the actors' quick wit made the improv scene incredibly funny.