Freestyles

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. A form of spontaneous performance that involves creating new and original content on the spot in various artistic disciplines
2. An improvisational expression of skill in activities such as rap, dance, or sports without prior preparation
3. The act of generating innovative and unplanned material, often showcasing personal style and creativity in real-time situations

Etymology: "Freestyles" is the third-person singular present form of the verb "freestyle," meaning to perform improvised material on the spot. The verb comes from "free" and "style," which are both ordinary English words, and the compound is a plain combination of them. Its sense was shaped by the ideas each part carries: a performer is released from a fixed script or set pattern, and their own manner of expression takes over. Over time the verb came to be used most strongly in music, especially hip-hop, where rapping improvised verses over a beat became the best-known sense, while the same idea of unplanned performance applies to other arts.

Synonyms: improvises, spontaneities