impetuous

adjective im·pet·u·ous \im-ˈpech-wəs; -ˈpe-chə-, -chü-əs\

: acting or done quickly and without thought : controlled by emotion rather than thought

Full Definition of IMPETUOUS

: marked by impulsive vehemence or passion <an impetuous temperament>

: marked by force and violence of movement or action <an impetuous wind>

— im·pet·u·ous·ly adverb

— im·pet·u·ous·ness noun

See impetuous defined for English-language learners

See impetuous defined for kids

Examples of IMPETUOUS

In one episode of “The Sopranos,” … the young, impetuous mobster Christopher Moltisanti … tries to write a screenplay in the hours when he is not robbing trucks or picking up cannolis for Tony. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2001
And from the beginning, NASA was trapped beneath the dominoes, as the Soviets knocked off first satellite, first man in space, first earth orbit, first space walk. But it was Kennedy's impetuous science-fiction PR that really put the pressure on, when he promised to put an American on the moon by the end of the decade. —Erik Davis, Village Voice, 26 July 1994
Men who don't wear hats are generally youthful, vigorous, impetuous, and have a devil-may-care glint in their eyes. —Mike Royko, Like I Was Sayin' …, 1984
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Origin of IMPETUOUS

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin impetuosus, from Latin impetus (see impetus)

First Known Use: 14th century

Synonym Discussion of IMPETUOUS

precipitate, headlong, abrupt, impetuous, sudden mean showing undue haste or unexpectedness. precipitate stresses lack of due deliberation and implies prematureness of action <the army's precipitate withdrawal>. headlong stresses rashness and lack of forethought <a headlong flight from arrest>. abrupt stresses curtness and a lack of warning or ceremony <an abrupt refusal>. impetuous stresses extreme impatience or impulsiveness <an impetuous lover proposing marriage>. sudden stresses unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action <flew into a sudden rage>.

IMPETUOUS Defined for Kids