Definition

The quality or state of being done without preparation or planning, often in a spontaneous manner.

Example

The speaker's extemporaneity impressed the audience, as he delivered his speech without any notes.

Conversation

Did you see how well she handled that speech without any notes?

Yeah, her extemporaneity is really impressive!

I wish I could be that spontaneous in front of people.

It just takes practice; you can definitely improve your extemporaneity!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Extemporaneity → It is formed from "ex-" (meaning out of) and "temporaneus" (from Latin, meaning temporary or of time). The word refers to the quality of being done without preparation, as if coming out of the moment or time.

Memory Tip

Think of something happening 'out of' ('ex-') the 'moment' ('temporaneus') — that's why extemporaneity means doing something spontaneously or without prior planning.

Visually Confused Words