Impulsive
/ɪmˈpʌl.sɪv/
Meaning & Definition
adjective
Acting or done without forethought; impetuous.
His impulsive decision to buy a new car left him in debt.
Characterized by a tendency to act on a whim.
She has an impulsive nature, often making spontaneous travel plans.
Sudden and rash; lacking careful consideration.
His impulsive behavior got him into trouble at work.
Driven by emotional reasoning rather than logical thought.
In an impulsive moment, she confessed her feelings to him.
Etymology
From Latin 'impulsivus', meaning 'to push or impel' or 'to drive forward'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
impulsive behavior
Action taken without careful consideration.
act on impulse
To do something based on immediate instinct or desire rather than careful thought.
Related Words
impulse
A sudden strong desire to act.
impulsivity
The tendency to act on impulse.
Slang Meanings
Quick to act without thinking.
He's so spontaneous, always making impulsive plans that change at the last minute.
Doing things on a whim.
Don't be too impulsive; sometimes it's better to pause and think things over.