impetuous

[ im-pech-oo-uhs ]

/ ɪmˈpɛtʃ u əs /

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adjective

of, relating to, or characterized by sudden or rash action, emotion, etc.; impulsive: an impetuous decision; an impetuous person.

having great impetus; moving with great force; violent: the impetuous winds.

Nearby words

impetigo herpetiformis, impetigo neonatorum, impetigo vulgaris, impetrate, impetuosity, impetuous, impetus, impf., imphal, impi, impiety

Origin of impetuous

1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French < Late Latin impetuōsus, equivalent to Latin impetu(s) impetus + -ōsus -ous

SYNONYMS FOR impetuous

1 eager, headlong. Impetuous, impulsive both refer to persons who are hasty and precipitate in action, or to actions not preceded by thought. Impetuous suggests eagerness, violence, rashness: impetuous vivacity; impetuous desire; impetuous words. Impulsive emphasizes spontaneity and lack of reflection: an impulsive act of generosity.

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ANTONYMS FOR impetuous

1 planned, careful.

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Related forms

im·pet·u·ous·ly, adverbim·pet·u·ous·ness, noun

Can be confused

compulsive impulsive impetuous (see synonym study at the current entry)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for impetuous

The old Kaiser Franz Joseph, faithful and hardworking, was the obverse of the feckless and impetuous German kaiser.
Before the Fall: What Did the World Look Like in 1913?|Jacob Heilbrunn|June 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Zakir is a fearless and impetuous fighter, a former Guantanamo prisoner who earned a reputation for brutality on the battlefield.
Afghanistan: Will the Taliban Destroy Itself?|Sami Yousafzai|December 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Referring to his numerous divorces, he writes, "I was young, impetuous, and lonely."
The Daily Beast Recommends|The Daily Beast|May 19, 2009|DAILY BEAST
We now turned up to breast its impetuous current which swept proudly along by us in foaming eddies.
Gleanings by the Way|John A. Clark

He ran off in his boyish, impetuous fashion, and Seton watched him, smiling quietly.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
The music quickens with an impetuous phrase, which seems to define the first joyous thrill of passion in the youthful hero.
The Complete Opera Book|Gustav Kobb
By that time a crowd of impetuous boys had armed themselves and were running down the hill on our side to join the Confederates.
Memories|Fannie A. (Mrs.) Beers
Surrey, impetuous as usual, rushed to the window to address the mob.
The White Rose of Langley|Emily Sarah Holt

British Dictionary definitions for impetuous

impetuous

/ (ɪmˈpɛtjʊəs) /

adjective

liable to act without consideration; rash; impulsive

resulting from or characterized by rashness or haste

poetic moving with great force or violence; rushingthe impetuous stream hurtled down the valley

Derived Forms

impetuously, adverbimpetuousness or impetuosity (ɪmˌpɛtjʊˈɒsɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for impetuous

C14: from Late Latin impetuōsus violent; see impetus

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012