Etymology Map
Back to all words

Ad lib

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to improvise; spoken without preparation

Where does the word "ad lib" come from? It comes from Latin ad libitum, adopted directly into English (1910s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
ad libitum
Latin · ancient
"at pleasure"
'at one's pleasure', from 'libēre', to please
2
Stage 2 of 2
ad lib
English · 1910s
"improvise"
first a direction in musical scores letting players perform freely; actors shortened it to 'ad lib' for improvised lines
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Ad lib’s story begins in Latin: ad libitum meant “at pleasure.” 'at one's pleasure', from 'libēre', to please. It reached English by 1910s as ad lib. First a direction in musical scores letting players perform freely; actors shortened it to 'ad lib' for improvised lines. Today, ad lib means to improvise; spoken without preparation.