ad hoc

ad hoc

Created when necessary for a specific purpose (as opposed to being planned or prepared in advance). The phrase is Latin for "to this." Let's form an ad hoc committee to make some recommendations to the board, and then we'll decide how to address this issue. Ad hoc wireless networks often present security risks to unsuspecting mobile device users. IT has created a simple, ad hoc software program so we can log our hours. It's a bit buggy, but it gets the job done.

See also: ad, hoc

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

ad hoc

For the special purpose or end at hand; also, by extension, improvised or impromptu. The term, Latin for "to this," is most often used for committees established for a specific purpose, as in The committee was formed ad hoc to address health insurance problems. The term is also used as an adjective ( An ad hoc committee was formed), and has given rise to the noun adhocism for the tendency to use temporary, provisional, or improvised methods to deal with a particular problem. [Early 1600s]

See also: ad, hoc

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ˌad ˈhoc

(from Latin) arranged or happening when necessary and not planned in advance: The meetings will be held on an ad hoc basis.

See also: ad, hoc

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