Definition of 'impulsive'
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
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Word Frequency
impulsive in British English
adjective
1.
characterized by actions based on sudden desires, whims, or inclinations rather than careful thought
an impulsive man
4.
(of physical forces) acting for a short time; not continuous
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
impulsively (imˈpulsively) adverb
impulsiveness (imˈpulsiveness)
noun
Word Frequency
impulsive in American English
adjective
1.
impelling; driving forward
2.
b.
produced by or resulting from a sudden impulse
an impulsive remark
3. Mechanics
acting briefly and as a result of impulse
SIMILAR WORDS: sponˈtaneous
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
impulsively (imˈpulsively)
adverb
impulsiveness (imˈpulsiveness)
noun
Word Frequency
impulsive in American English
(ɪmˈpʌlsɪv)
adjective
SYNONYMS 1. rash, quick, hasty. See impetuous.2.
having the power or effect of impelling; characterized by impulsion
impulsive forces
3.
inciting to action
the impulsive effects of a revolutionary idea
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
impulsively adverb
impulsiveness or impulsivity
noun
Examples of 'impulsive' in a sentence
impulsive
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In other languages
impulsive
British English: impulsive
ADJECTIVE /ɪmˈpʌlsɪv/
If you describe someone as impulsive, you mean that they do things suddenly without thinking about them carefully first.
He is too impulsive to be a responsible prime minister.
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Definition of impulsive from the Collins English Dictionary
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