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CEFR C2 — Proficiency

Ad-lib

Definition

(theatrical, informal) To improvise or make up lines, dialogue, or actions spontaneously during a performance, often in response to unexpected events or audience participation. Originates from the Latin phrase 'ad libitum', meaning 'at one's pleasure'.

Example Sentences

1The comedian's ability to ad-lib witty responses to hecklers was a hallmark of her stand-up routines.
2During the play's rehearsal, the director encouraged the actors to ad-lib their lines to add a sense of realism to the dialogue.
3The jazz musician was known for his ability to ad-lib complex solos that seemed to defy the laws of musical theory.
4In the spirit of improvisational theatre, the troupe's performances often featured ad-libbed scenes and characters.
5The actor's tendency to ad-lib during filming sometimes resulted in humorous outtakes, but also occasionally disrupted the continuity of the scene.

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