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Where does the word "improvise" come from? It comes from Latin improvisus, passing through Italian before entering English (1820s).
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Where does the word "improvise" come from? It comes from Latin improvisus, passing through Italian before entering English (1820s).
Improvise’s story begins in Latin: improvisus meant “unforeseen.” 'in-', not, plus 'provisus', foreseen. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Italian as improvvisare. Came via Italian and then French 'improviser'. It reached English by 1820s as improvise. Improv comedy dates from the 1900s. Today, improvise means to create without preparation.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient improvisus "unforeseen", 'in-', not, plus 'provisus', foreseen.
- Stage 2 · Italian · 1600s improvvisare "to improvise", came via Italian and then French 'improviser'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1820s improvise "to perform unprepared", improv comedy dates from the 1900s.