ad lib
ad lib — adverb
1. in a way that is spoken or performed without planning first
in a way that is spoken or performed without planning first
The host spoke ad lib while the stage crew fixed the microphone.
spoke ad lib
When the teleprompter failed, Priya finished the introduction ad lib.
finished ... ad lib
The actor answered a question from the audience ad lib.
The teacher explained the missing slide ad lib.
- impromptu
describes something done with little or no preparation
- off the cuff
informal; used especially about remarks made without preparation
- from a script
using prepared written words
文法句型
speak ad lib
perform ad lib
do something ad lib
用法筆記
Use 'ad lib' after a verb to show that words or actions were made up at the moment.
常見錯誤
Do not use 'ad lib' for ordinary casual speech unless the point is that it was not prepared.
2. in music, played or sung freely rather than exactly as written
in music, played or sung freely rather than exactly as written
The pianist played the final bars ad lib.
played ... ad lib
The score marks this short section ad lib for the singer.
section ad lib
During rehearsal, the band tried the bridge ad lib.
The violinist repeated the melody ad lib during the encore.
- freely
a general word for performing without strict limits
- improvised
made up during the performance
- as written
following the printed music closely
文法句型
play ad lib
sing ad lib
ad lib passage
用法筆記
This sense is mainly used in written music or when talking about performance choices.
3. in music, able to be included or left out depending on who is available
in music, able to be included or left out depending on who is available
The horn part is marked ad lib, so the piece can be played without it.
marked ad lib
A guitar line appears ad lib in the arrangement.
appears ad lib
The choir used the ad lib percussion part when a drummer was free.
The flute line was ad lib for smaller school orchestras.
文法句型
instrument ad lib
part marked ad lib
ad lib accompaniment
用法筆記
This technical use appears in music scores to show that a part is optional.
ad lib — verb
- ad libpresent simple I / you / we / they
- ad libsthird-person singular
- ad-libbedpast tense
- ad-libbingpresent participle
- ads lib3rd person singular
- adding lib-ing form
- added libpast simple
1. to speak or perform without preparing the exact words in advance
to speak or perform without preparing the exact words in advance
The comedian ad-libbed when the lights went out.
ad-libbed
Jenna had to ad lib for two minutes before the video started.
ad lib for two minutes
The mayor ad-libbed a short thank-you speech at the end.
The tour guide ad-libbed when the planned route was closed.
- script
to prepare exact words beforehand
文法句型
ad lib during + noun
ad lib about + noun
ad lib a line
用法筆記
The verb is often hyphenated in inflected forms, especially 'ad-libbed' and 'ad-libbing'.
常見錯誤
Do not confuse 'ad lib' with 'add lib'. It comes from the Latin phrase 'ad libitum'.