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by ear

ADJECTIVE

extemporaneous

Synonyms

WEAK

ad hoc ad-lib automatic autoschediastic casual expedient extemporary extempore fake free immediate impromptu improv improvisatory improviso informal jamming made-up makeshift offhand on impulse on-the-spot snap spontaneous spur-of-the-moment toss off toss out unplanned unpremeditated unprepared unrehearsed unstudied winging it

Antonyms

WEAK

deliberate planned premeditated prepared rehearsed

ADJECTIVE

extemporaneous/extemporary

Synonyms

WEAK

ad hoc ad lib at first glance automatic casual expedient extempore free immediate impromptu improv improvisatory improviso informal jamming made-up makeshift off the cuff off the top of head offhand on impulse on-the-spot snap spontaneous spur-of-the-moment taking for ride thought out loud tossed off tossed out unplanned unpremeditated unprepared unstudied winging it

Antonyms

WEAK

planned prepared read rehearsed written

ADJECTIVE

off-the-cuff

Synonyms

WEAK

ad hoc ad-lib automatic autoschediastic casual expedient extemporary extempore fake free immediate impromptu improv improvisatory improvised improviso informal jamming made-up makeshift offhand on impulse on-the-spot snap spontaneous spur-of-the-moment toss off toss out unplanned unpremeditated unprepared unrehearsed unstudied winging it

ADJECTIVE

spur-of-the-moment

Synonyms

WEAK

ad hoc ad-lib automatic autoschediastic casual expedient extemporary extempore fake free immediate impromptu improv improvisatory improvised improviso informal jamming made-up makeshift offhand on impulse on-the-spot snap spontaneous toss off toss out unplanned unpremeditated unprepared unrehearsed unstudied winging it

ADVERB

off the cuff

Synonyms

WEAK

ad-lib extemporaneously impromptu improv improvised makeshift off the hip off the top of one's head offhand unrehearsed

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"So I'm just kind of playing it by ear."

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

He was plunked before a piano at age 3 and by 5 could play by ear.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

All of which might suggest the cosmic stage manager also likes playing a bit by ear.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

He was also capable of picking up instruments by ear; he played guitar and recorded rock songs with his brother, who played drums.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 22, 2023

Could she play by ear, like he did, or did she only read notes?

From "Clayton Byrd Goes Underground" by Rita Williams-Garcia

by ear

Example Sentences

Related Words