impetuous

American  

[im-pech-oo-uhs] / ɪmˈpɛtʃ u əs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by sudden or rash action, emotion, etc.; impulsive.

   an impetuous decision; an impetuous person.

   Synonyms:

   headlong, eager

   Antonyms:

   careful, planned

2. having great impetus; moving with great force; violent.

   the impetuous winds.

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impetuous British  

/ ɪmˈpɛtjʊəs, ɪmˌpɛtjʊˈɒsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. liable to act without consideration; rash; impulsive

2. resulting from or characterized by rashness or haste

3. poetic moving with great force or violence; rushing

   the impetuous stream hurtled down the valley

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• impetuously adverb
• impetuousness noun

Etymology

Origin of impetuous

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin impetuōsus, equivalent to Latin impetu(s) “an attack” + -ōsus adjective suffix; impetus, -ous

Explanation

Someone impetuous acts too hastily or carelessly. Hotheaded, impulsive folks are impetuous. If you're a careful person who thinks everything through and doesn't act rashly, then you're not very impetuous. Impetuous has to do with doing things on the spur of the moment — and not good things. Being impetuous usually goes along with being impatient and easily angered. If you're impetuous, you act quickly and thoughtlessly when you should just take a deep breath, relax, and think about the best thing to do.

Example Sentences

"When you come on and your team is losing it gives you that extra impetuous to try and change it."

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

"I am not an impetuous person. I think things through. I have the serenity not to lose it under tension and under pressure. I consult. I hear. And I am brave. I take risks."

From Barron's • Feb. 28, 2026

Dutiful Meg paradoxically longs for leisure and fashionable clothes; impetuous Jo yearns for literary fame; shy, music-loving Beth wishes only for everyone to be happy; artistic Amy craves admiration and status.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

I must reckon with my impetuous decision-making years earlier.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 14, 2025

And likewise, two men prosper equally employing two different means, one being cautious and the other impetuous.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli

Related Words

• ardent
• impulsive