ad hoc
For this only
Ad hoc means created for a specific purpose or situation rather than planned in advance or meant for general use.
An ad hoc committee forms to address a particular issue, then disbands.
An ad hoc solution solves the immediate problem without establishing broader policy.
The term suggests improvisation—something assembled as needed rather than by design: We made ad hoc arrangements for the overflow guests.
Temporarily fixed with scraps
- stopgapTemporary substitute measure
- cobbled-togetherAssembled from random parts
- kludgeAwkward but functional solution
- band-aidAdhesive strip for cuts
thrown-together · patchwork · bodge · slapdash · jerry-built · rough-and-ready · improvised · temporary
Without advance preparation
- extemporaneousDone without advance preparation
- on-the-flyDone without prior planning
- spur-of-the-momentDone without advance planning
- off-the-cuffUnplanned, unrehearsed
winging-it · ad-libbed · unrehearsed · unscripted · unplanned · spontaneous · freestyle · informal
Conditional and possibly temporary
- interimProvisional in-between phase
- short-termOf limited duration
- transientTemporary, soon departing
- stopgapTemporary substitute measure
fleeting · impermanent · tentative · ephemeral · momentary · passing · short-lived · transitory
Evaluated separately, not uniformly
- contextualRelative to surrounding conditions
- circumstantialBased on inference, not proof
- on-demandAvailable upon request
- tailoredAdjusted to fit exactly
customized · particular · localized · one-off · bespoke · purpose-built · specialized · conditional
Team for specific mission
- advisoryNotice recommending action
- appointedAssigned to office
- convenedFormally gathered together
- assembledBrought together as group
formed · chartered · designated · subcommittee · panel · commission · board · council
jury-rigged
Temporarily fixed with scraps
- stopgapTemporary substitute measure
- cobbled-togetherAssembled from random parts
- kludgeAwkward but functional solution
band-aid · thrown-together · patchwork · bodge · slapdash · jerry-built · rough-and-ready · improvised · temporary · crude
impromptu
Without advance preparation
- extemporaneousDone without advance preparation
- on-the-flyDone without prior planning
- spur-of-the-momentDone without advance planning
off-the-cuff · winging-it · ad-libbed · unrehearsed · unscripted · unplanned · spontaneous · freestyle · informal · offhand
provisional
Conditional and possibly temporary
- interimProvisional in-between phase
- short-termOf limited duration
- transientTemporary, soon departing
stopgap · fleeting · impermanent · tentative · ephemeral · momentary · passing · short-lived · transitory · nonpermanent
case-by-case
Evaluated separately, not uniformly
- contextualRelative to surrounding conditions
- circumstantialBased on inference, not proof
- on-demandAvailable upon request
tailored · customized · particular · localized · one-off · bespoke · purpose-built · specialized · conditional · contingent
task-force
Team for specific mission
assembled · formed · chartered · designated · subcommittee · panel · commission · board · council · delegation
- Latin Termsa priori, ab initio, ad lib, bona fide, circa
- Latin Wordsad, ad nauseam, et, caveat emptor, affidavit
- Latin Abbreviationse.g., i.e., etc, et al, ibid
- Latin phrasesE pluribus unum, carpe diem, caveat emptor, veni vidi vici, ad astra
- makeshift fixesquick fix, stopgap, duct tape, band-aid, bandaid
- workaroundsworkaround, workarounds, fixes, hacks, quick fix
ad hocplanned
Decided on beforehand
systematic · deliberate · methodical · premeditated · organized
ad hocpermanent
Fixed without end
standing · general · established · ongoing · enduring
ad hocsystematic
Following ordered procedures
standardized · formal · codified · institutionalized · formalized