impetuous

[ im-pech-oo-uhs ]
/ ɪmˈpɛtʃ u əs /

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.

Origin of impetuous

1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French < Late Latin impetuōsus, equivalent to Latin impetu(s) impetus + -ōsus -ous

SYNONYMS FOR impetuous

1 eager, headlong. 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, adverb im·pet·u·ous·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH impetuous

compulsive impulsive impetuous (see synonym study at the current entry)

Example sentences from the Web for impetuousness

British Dictionary definitions for impetuousness

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; rushing the impetuous stream hurtled down the valley

Derived forms of impetuous

impetuously, adverb impetuousness or impetuosity (ɪmˌpɛtjʊˈɒsɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for impetuous

C14: from Late Latin impetuōsus violent; see impetus