YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

impetuous

Adjective

IPA /ɪmˈpetʃuəs/

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Meaning in plain English

Acting quickly on a sudden feeling without carefully considering what may happen as a result.

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Pronunciation

impetuous/ɪmˈpetʃuəs/

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A sudden urge to book a holiday
Pays without checking the dates
Discovers a clash afterwards

An impetuous decision is made before its consequences are considered.

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An impetuous decision led him to book the holiday without checking the dates.
Her impetuous reply to the complaint created extra work for the team.

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An ________ decision led him to book the holiday without checking the dates.

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impetuous — Acting quickly on a sudden feeling without carefully considering what may happen as a result.

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Acting quickly on a sudden feeling without carefully considering what may happen as a result.

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Word origin

Through Old French impetueux from late Latin impetuosus, related to impetere, meaning to attack.

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Impetuous can describe a person or a particular decision, action or response.

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