ad lib

comparative more ad lib · superlative most ad lib · alternative adverb ad lib. · alternative noun verb ad-lib · alternative noun verb adlib

1. At pleasure.

   Synonyms: a piacere

2. At will.
3. As much as desired, to one's fill, without restriction.

   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.

   1951, Katherine Mansfield, Letters to John Middleton Murry, 1913-1922

4. Extemporaneously.

   Synonyms: ex tempore, extempore, impromptu, on the fly

comparative more ad lib · superlative most ad lib · alternative adverb ad lib. · alternative noun verb ad-lib · alternative noun verb adlib

1. Extemporaneous, impromptu.

   We were shocked to learn that the entire show was an ad lib performance. How did they weave it together so expertly on the fly?

2. That provides as much as each one desires, to each one's fill, without restriction.

   ad lib feed

   4 more examples

   ad lib access

   ad lib feeder

   All hens in the laying house have ad lib access to feed.

   The patients in the control group had ad lib access to snacks and were given no extra dietary advice.

plural ad libs · alternative adverb ad lib. · alternative noun verb ad-lib · alternative noun verb adlib

1. actingAn instance of something improvised, especially a line.
2. dancingImprovised vocals added after the main vocals have been recorded which serve to emphasize the rhythm or fill the lyrical bar line.

present singular third person ad libs · participle present ad libbing · participle past ad libbed · past ad libbed · alternative adverb ad lib. · alternative noun verb ad-lib · alternative noun verb adlib

1. To perform without a script.

   Synonyms: fake

2. To perform without preparation.
3. To perform extemporaneously.

   She ad libbed the rest of the scene.

4. intransitivechiefly hip hopentertainmentTo perform ad libs; to improvise lyrics after the main lyrics have been recorded.
5. transitivechiefly hip hopentertainmentTo perform (lyrics) as ad libs.