Dictionary.com

impetuous

[ im-pech-oo-uhs ]
/ ɪmˈpɛtʃ u əs /
See synonyms for: impetuous / impetuously / impetuousness on Thesaurus.com

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.

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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; see origin at impetus, -ous

synonym study for impetuous

1. 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 WORDS FROM impetuous

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH impetuous

impetuous , impulsive (see synonym study at the current entry)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to impetuous

ardent, impulsive, abrupt, eager, fervid, fierce, furious, hasty, headlong, hurried, impassioned, passionate, precipitate, precipitous, rash, restive, rushing, spontaneous, sudden, swift

Example sentences from the Web for impetuous

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 of impetuous

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