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impetuous Definition

im·petu·ous (im pec̸h′o̵̅o̅ əs)

adjective

  1. moving with great force or violence; having great impetus; rushing; furious impetuous winds
  2. acting or done suddenly with little thought; rash; impulsive

Etymology: ME impetuouse < OFr impetueuse < L impetuosus < impetus: see impetus

impetuous Related Forms
im·pet′u·ously adverb im·pet′u·ous·ness noun
impetuous Synonyms

impetuous

modif.

impulsive, hasty, precipitate, sudden; see careless 1, changeable 1, rash. See syn. study at sudden.

impetuous Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • youth: I suspect he may have been shot by impetuous youths.
  • nature: Catherine was in high spirits, for riding most gratified her impetuous nature.
  • man: He was an impetuous man, quick in his decisions.
  • behavior: There are no obvious examples of Hungarian Knights displaying the impetuous behavior of, for example their French counterparts.
  • stream: There is no coming back, young ladies, on the impetuous stream of life.
  • one: Sometimes he wrote under pseudonyms, Eusebius ( representing his lyrical, contemplative side ) and Florestan ( his fiery, impetuous one ).

Modifying Another Word

  • so: His rush was so impetuous, that he fairly overturned several of his opponents by dashing against them.
  • too: If things didn't ' come right ' instantly, I was too impetuous, too lazy maybe, to stick with them.
  • very: They're very scattered, very impetuous, very spontaneous.
  • somewhat: If you knew me as a bright and somewhat impetuous youth, and could meet me now, you would see the same entity.
  • rather: Vampires: Nat Mackensie ( Charles Lister ) a rather impetuous mercenary is bitten on the arm in Afghanistan 1989 by a prisoner.
  • little: Perhaps tends to be a little impetuous, but experience will cure this.