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wing

verb

/wɪŋ/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of wing

To spontaneously and confidently improvise or perform without prior preparation or planning.
"He didn't have time to prepare a speech, so he decided to wing it at the conference."

Detailed meaning of wing

It involves relying on one's natural abilities, creativity, and intuition to navigate a situation, whether it be a performance, a speech, or any other task at hand. When someone wings it, they proceed without a predetermined script or specific direction, adapting and responding in the moment. This improvisational approach often requires quick thinking, adaptability, and the ability to make decisions on the fly. Winging it can involve drawing from one's experience, knowledge, or instincts to provide a solution or create something new without formal preparation. It can be a skill utilized in various contexts, such as public speaking, acting, or problem-solving situations. Winging it embraces spontaneity and the willingness to take risks, allowing individuals to demonstrate their resourcefulness and ability to think on their feet.

Example sentences containing wing

1. The actor forgot his lines but managed to wing it by ad-libbing.
2. She didn't know the answer, so she decided to wing it and give her best guess.
3. The comedian was so skilled at improvisation that he could effortlessly wing it during his performances.
4. Without a plan, they had to wing it and navigate through the unfamiliar city.
5. The team's strategy failed, so they had to quickly regroup and wing it for the rest of the game.
6. The musician lost the sheet music but managed to wing it and play a beautiful solo.

History and etymology of wing

The verb 'wing,' derived from the noun 'wing,' originally referred to the action of flying or soaring through the air with ease and grace. This sense of effortless movement is linked to the Latin root 'ventus,' meaning 'wind.' Over time, the term evolved to describe the act of performing or improvising confidently and spontaneously, akin to gliding through a task without prior preparation. This transition in meaning reflects the idea of navigating challenges with the same apparent effortlessness as a bird riding on the wind, capturing the essence of the word's etymological journey.

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Further usage examples of wing

1. The presenter's slides didn't work, so they had to wing it and deliver the talk without visual aids.
2. The chef ran out of a key ingredient, forcing her to wing it and substitute with something else.
3. The workshop facilitator encouraged participants to embrace the unknown and wing it during the group activities.
4. The speaker's microphone malfunctioned, but he decided to wing it and project his voice to the audience.
5. The dancer's partner missed a step, so they had to quickly adjust and wing it to continue the routine smoothly.
6. Despite the lack of a script, she managed to wing her lines flawlessly.
7. He decided to wing the presentation, relying on his knowledge.
8. When the guitarist's string broke, he had to wing the solo.
9. She had no recipe, but she managed to wing a delicious meal.
10. With no map, he had to wing the journey through the forest.
11. The comedian had to wing it when the teleprompter failed.
12. He can wing any conversation and make it interesting.
13. She had to wing the interview without any preparation.
14. Despite the unexpected questions, he was able to wing the interview.
15. The actor forgot his lines but managed to wing the scene.
16. When the power went out, she had to wing the entire event.
17. He's a great storyteller and can wing a tale at any time.
18. She decided to wing the dance routine and just have fun.
19. Even without notes, he can wing a captivating speech.
20. They had no script, so they had to wing the entire play.
21. He had to wing the negotiation, but it worked out in his favor.
22. She can wing any project and make it a success.
23. He's so talented that he can wing any song on the spot.
24. Despite the lack of ingredients, she managed to wing a delicious dessert.
25. With no plan in place, they had to wing the entire operation.