What does impetuous mean Meaning and Definition
What does impetuous mean
Pronunciation
/ɪmpjuːʃəs/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Impulsive, rash, or recklessly bold; lacking reflection or caution.
Examples
- The impetuous child went ahead and tried to ride the untrained horse.
- The company’s impetuous decision to expand into new markets backfired.
Synonyms
- Impulsive
- Rash
- Hasty
Antonyms
- Measured
- Cautious
- Considered
Etymology
From Latin impetuosus, from impetus ‘impulse, urging’, from in- ‘in, into’ + petere ‘to seek, strive’
Usage Notes
Impetuous is often used to describe actions or behavior that are sudden, without careful consideration, and potentially reckless.
Cultural References
In literature, impetuous is often used to describe characters with a rash and reckless nature, such as Iago in Shakespeare’s Othello.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- To act on impulse
- To take a wild guess
Related Words or Phrases
- Impulsive
- Rash
- Hasty
- Impulsive
Collocations
The following words are often paired with impetuous:
- Behavior
- Action
- Decision
Frequency of Use
Impetuous is not a commonly used word in everyday conversation, but it is occasionally used to describe situations where impulsive action is involved.
Common Misspellings
- Impetous
- Imputous