ad lib
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Abbreviation of ad libitum, borrowed from New Latin ad libitum.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /æd ˈlɪb/, /ˈæd ˈlɪb/
Audio (US): (file)
Adverb
ad lib (comparative more ad lib, superlative most ad lib)
- At pleasure.
- At will.
- As much as desired, to one's fill, without restriction.
- 1951, Katherine Mansfield, Letters to John Middleton Murry, 1913-1922:
- 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.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Translations
at pleasure
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at will
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as much as desired, without restriction
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extemporaneously
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked
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Adjective
ad lib (comparative more ad lib, superlative most ad lib)
Translations
extemporaneous
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Noun
- (acting) An instance of something improvised, especially a line.
- (music, chiefly hip-hop) Improvised vocals added after the main vocals have been recorded which serve to emphasize the rhythm or fill the lyrical bar line.
Verb
ad lib (third-person singular simple present ad libs, present participle ad libbing, simple past and past participle ad libbed)
- To perform without script.
- To perform without preparation.
- To perform extemporaneously.
- She ad libbed the rest of the scene.
- (music, chiefly hip hop, intransitive) To perform ad libs; to improvise lyrics after the main lyrics have been recorded.
- (music, chiefly hip hop, transitive) To perform (lyrics) as ad libs.
Translations
to perform without script
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to perform without preparation
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to perform extemporaneously
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