What does extemporarily mean?
Extemporarily means without advance preparation, usually because the need to speak, perform, or respond arises unexpectedly. It is particularly common in formal settings such as public speaking, interviews, debates, performances, and meetings. For example, a speaker may answer an unforeseen question extemporarily rather than following a prepared script. The adverb can also refer to something arranged without the usual preparation: an organization might open a temporary shelter extemporarily to meet an urgent need. Extemporarily should not be confused with temporarily, which describes duration rather than preparation; a speech can be temporary without being extemporarily prepared. A much less common older sense of extemporarily means “for the time being” or “temporarily.” Overall, the word is useful because it identifies both an improvised manner and the absence of prior planning, while its Latin history preserves an earlier association with time and temporariness.
adverbWithout prior preparation, typically in response to an immediate or unexpected need. In a less common older sense, for a temporary purpose.
- Without prior preparation, in response to an immediate or unexpected need.
- For a temporary purpose; temporarily.
"The chairwoman prepared a brief statement but answered the difficult questions extemporarily."
"She had no formal remarks, so she introduced the guest extemporarily."
"The shelter was established extemporarily while storm damage was assessed."
Its Latin ancestor literally meant “outside time”—an apt forebear for a word now meaning “without preparation.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does extemporarily come from?
Extemporarily was formed in English by adding -ly to extemporaneous. The adjective comes through Latin extemporaneus, literally “outside time” or “out of time,” from Latin ex tempore, meaning “from outside time.” English also borrowed the Latin phrase extempore, while cognate words such as temporary and temporize ultimately derive from the Latin root tempus, meaning “time.”
How extemporarily is actually used
The spontaneous sense is especially associated with public speaking, performance, discussion, and unexpected circumstances. It is formal but widely understood. The older sense meaning “temporarily” is much less common and can sound dated in modern usage.
Easily confused with extemporarily
Extemporarily means without prior preparation, whereas temporarily means only for a short time.
Both forms are standard and closely related, but extemporaneously is the fuller adverb formed from the adjective extemporaneous and is especially common after verbs such as speak.