Word
impetus
Phoneticsim·pe·tus, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪmpətəs/
UK/ˈɪmpɛtəs/
Definitions
01a stimulus for action
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Academic
n. the force or encouragement that makes a process start or happen more quickly.
n. a stimulating factor or impulse that provides the motivation for a specific activity or development.
“The new government grant provided the impetus for the company to start its green energy project.”
“The sudden collapse of the regional bank provided the necessary impetus for the government to overhaul financial regulations.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'for' or 'to'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02physical force
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. the energy or power of a moving object.
n. the force or energy associated with a moving body, often considered in terms of its momentum.
“The car's impetus carried it through the fence and into the field.”
“The boulder gained impetus as it rolled down the steep slope, eventually crashing into the valley floor with immense force.”
Usage
Uncountable in most scientific contexts.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “impetus” in context.
Verb
01. give impetus
“The new government subsidies are expected to give impetus to the renewable energy sector.”
verb + noun
02. provide impetus
“The recent breakthrough in research provided the necessary impetus for the team to finish the project.”
verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“Aston Villa lost Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans in the summer, so some extra attacking impetus in midfield was always going to be required.” “Although vessel strikes affect other species , too, protecting this threatened population was the impetus behind NOAA’s original speed regulations.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin impetus (“a rushing upon, an attack, assault, onset”), from impetō (“to rush upon, attack”), from in- (“upon”) + petō (“to seek, fall upon”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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