ad-lib
/ˌæd ˈlɪb/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈædlˈɪb] /ˌæd ˈlɪb/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌædˈlɪb/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈædlˈɪb] /ˌædˈlɪb/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈædlˈɪb] /ˈad-ˈlib/ (ame, mw)
ad-lib — 副詞
1. without planning the words or action beforehand, especially while speaking or pe
即興地
未事先準備就當場說或做
without planning the words or action beforehand, especially while speaking or performing
When the screen froze, Cyrus explained the plan ad-lib until the slides returned.
螢幕卡住時，Cyrus 只好即興地說明計畫，直到投影片恢復。
explain ad-lib during an interruption
At the wedding, Ife thanked both families ad-lib after losing her notes.
在婚禮上，Ife 弄丟筆記後，只好即興地向兩家人致謝。
thank people ad-lib after losing notes
Minho handled the radio interview ad-lib and still sounded calm.
Minho 在廣播訪談裡即興地應對，卻還是聽起來很鎮定。
The club captain introduced the singers ad-lib when the host was late.
主持人遲到時，社團隊長即興地介紹了那些歌手。
- impromptu
often sounds slightly more formal and can describe events as well as speaking
- off the cuff
is more informal and often focuses on spoken remarks
- from notes
shows the speaker is following prepared material
- by script
emphasizes a fixed written version
文法句型
speak ad-lib
handle + event ad-lib
do + it ad-lib
用法筆記
Common when a person must keep speaking or performing after notes, slides, or a script fail. It usually suggests a quick response rather than a carefully built speech.
常見錯誤
2. in a musical performance, with freedom to bend the written rhythm or notes inste
自由即興地
演奏或演唱時不完全照譜
in a musical performance, with freedom to bend the written rhythm or notes instead of following them exactly
During the encore, Eric sang the final line ad-lib over the piano chords.
安可時，Eric 在鋼琴和弦上自由即興地唱了最後一句。
sing ad-lib over accompaniment
The guitar player played the bridge ad-lib, stretching the tune for tension.
那位吉他手在過門處自由即興地演奏，把旋律拉長來堆出張力。
play a section ad-lib
On the live recording, Romi drummed ad-lib while the band held one chord.
在現場錄音裡，Romi 在樂團停住單一和弦時自由即興地打鼓。
The choir leader asked Noa to phrase the repeat ad-lib tonight.
合唱指揮請 Noa 今晚在重複段自由即興地處理句子。
- freely
is broader and does not specifically point to working away from written notes
- improvisationally
is more technical and sounds less natural in ordinary music talk
- strictly
shows close obedience to the written score
文法句型
sing ad-lib
play + section ad-lib
phrase + line ad-lib
用法筆記
This sense is tied to performing music, not to giving a speech without notes. It often means the player keeps the basic shape but treats timing or melody more freely than the written version.
3. as an optional part, depending on which instrument or singer is available at the
酌情地
視可用的人聲或樂器決定
as an optional part, depending on which instrument or singer is available at the time
The score marks the flute line ad-lib if no second player comes.
譜上標明，若沒有第二位演奏者，長笛那一行可酌情地省略。
score marks a line ad-lib
For village concerts, the cello part may be taken ad-lib.
在鄉村音樂會裡，大提琴聲部可以酌情地加入或省略。
part may be taken ad-lib
The teacher left the harmony ad-lib when only one singer arrived.
只有一位歌手到場時，老師把和聲部分酌情地留成可加可不加。
In this hymn, the drum entry is ad-lib on smaller stages.
在這首聖歌裡，較小的舞台上鼓的進入可以酌情地處理。
- optionally
gives the general idea but lacks the score-direction flavor
- obligatorily
shows the part must be included
文法句型
marked ad-lib
taken ad-lib
left ad-lib
用法筆記
Unlike sense 2, this sense is about whether a part is included at all, not about bending the written notes. It usually appears in score directions or rehearsal talk.
ad-lib — 動詞
- ad-libpresent simple I / you / we / they
- ad-libs3rd person singular
- ad-libbing-ing form
- ad-libbedpast simple
1. to make up words or performance details as you speak or act, instead of using a
即興發揮
未先準備就當場說或演
to make up words or performance details as you speak or act, instead of using a prepared version
When the microphone died, Aarav ad-libbed a joke to calm the crowd.
麥克風壞掉時，Aarav 即興發揮了一個笑話來安撫人群。
ad-lib + a joke
Antonia ad-libbed through the missing scene until the chair was brought in.
在椅子被搬上台前，Antonia 先即興發揮，把缺掉的那一場撐過去。
ad-lib through a gap on stage
The tour guide ad-libbed extra stories when children asked about the castle.
孩子們問起那座城堡時，導覽員即興發揮，多講了幾個故事。
Pim ad-libbed the last verse after forgetting the written line.
忘了寫好的那一句後，Pim 只好即興發揮最後一節。
- improvise
is broader and can apply to plans, tools, or other non-speaking actions
- wing it
is more informal and often suggests coping with poor preparation
- extemporize
is more formal and is mostly used for speeches
文法句型
ad-lib + a joke/speech/line
ad-lib through + moment
ad-lib when + something goes wrong
用法筆記
It can take a direct object such as joke, line, or speech, or appear without one when the context already shows what is being improvised. Distinguish it from improvise, which is broader and not limited to words or stage delivery.
常見錯誤
ad-lib — 形容詞
1. created or delivered on the spot rather than written, rehearsed, or planned firs
即興的
臨場說出、寫出或演出的
created or delivered on the spot rather than written, rehearsed, or planned first
Hyun gave an ad-lib answer when the reporter asked about the delay.
記者問起延誤時，Hyun 給了一個即興的回答。
an ad-lib answer
Christopher's ad-lib remark made the whole table laugh during lunch.
Christopher 那句即興的話，讓整桌人在午餐時都笑了。
an ad-lib remark
The director kept one ad-lib scene because it felt warm and natural.
導演留下了一場即興的戲，因為它感覺溫暖又自然。
Our teacher praised the ad-lib sketch for sounding lively, not stiff.
老師稱讚那段即興的小短劇聽起來生動，不僵硬。
- impromptu
can sound slightly more formal and often describes events or speeches
- unscripted
focuses on the lack of a written script rather than the lively on-the-spot feel
文法句型
an ad-lib answer
an ad-lib remark
an ad-lib scene
用法筆記
This sense is attributive and usually comes before a noun such as answer, joke, line, or scene. Use the verb ad-lib when you want to describe the act itself rather than the result.
常見錯誤
ad-lib — 片語
1. according to what a person prefers, chooses, or asks for
按喜好
照自己想要的方式或選擇
according to what a person prefers, chooses, or asks for
At the tea station, guests could add sugar ad lib through the evening.
在茶點區，客人整晚都可以按喜好加糖。
do something ad lib by preference
The doctor said the patient could drink water ad lib after the test.
醫師說，檢查後病人可以按喜好喝水。
drink ad lib after permission
On the retreat form, tea was available ad lib for all volunteers.
靜修活動的表格上寫著，所有志工都可按喜好取用茶水。
The coach let players rest ad lib once the heat warning began.
高溫警報開始後，教練讓球員按喜好休息。
- as desired
is a plain English replacement with the same formal meaning
- at will
often sounds firmer and can suggest acting whenever one chooses
- as directed
shows the action must follow another person's instructions
文法句型
available ad lib
drink/eat ad lib
let + someone + do something ad lib
用法筆記
This formal phrase focuses on personal choice or permission. Distinguish it from phrase sense 2, which stresses the lack of a set limit on amount or frequency.
2. as much or as often as wanted, without a set limit or restraint
不限量
想要多少或多常都不受限制
as much or as often as wanted, without a set limit or restraint
During winter, the sheep were fed hay ad lib in the barn.
冬天時，羊群在穀倉裡可以不限量吃乾草。
feed animals ad lib
The study allowed children to sip water ad lib between tasks.
那項研究讓孩子們在各項任務之間不限量喝水。
ad lib for unrestricted intake
Bread was offered ad lib, so nobody left the table hungry.
麵包是不限量供應的，所以沒有人餓著離開餐桌。
At camp, the rabbits could graze ad lib after sunset.
在營地裡，兔子日落後可以不限量吃草。
- without limit
states the meaning directly but lacks the formal Latin tone
- freely
can overlap, but it is broader and does not always imply unlimited amount
- in fixed amounts
shows a strict quantity or schedule is set
文法句型
feed + animal + ad lib
offer + food/water + ad lib
do + something + ad lib
用法筆記
This sense is about unlimited quantity or repeated access, not simply personal preference. It often appears in instructions for food, water, or other things people or animals may take freely.