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ad lib

adv, adj, noun and 1 more — 13 senses

ad lib

adv

/æd ˈlɪb/ · /ˈæd ˈlɪb/

Etymology Abbreviation of ad libitum, borrowed from New Latin ad libitum.

1

At pleasure.

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.

Derived terms
ad-libber, Mad Lib

ad lib

adj

Etymology Abbreviation of ad libitum, borrowed from New Latin ad libitum.

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.

Of feed or food access for livestock or humans

  • ad lib feed
  • ad lib access
3 more examples
  • 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.

ad lib

noun

Etymology Abbreviation of ad libitum, borrowed from New Latin ad libitum.

1

Acting, Broadcasting, Entertainment, Film, Lifestyle, Media, Television, Theater An instance of something improvised, especially a line.

2

Dancing, Entertainment, Hip hop, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Music, Sports Improvised vocals added after the main vocals have been recorded which serve to emphasize the rhythm or fill the lyrical bar line.

ad lib

verb

Etymology Abbreviation of ad libitum, borrowed from New Latin ad libitum.

1

To perform without a script.

2

To perform without preparation.

3

To perform extemporaneously.

  • She ad libbed the rest of the scene.
4

Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music To perform ad libs; to improvise lyrics after the main lyrics have been recorded.

Chiefly hip hop

5

Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music To perform (lyrics) as ad libs.

Chiefly hip hop

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.