Word
impulse
Phoneticsim·pulse, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪmpəɫs/
UK/ˈɪmpʌls/
Definitions
01sudden urge
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a sudden, strong feeling that you must do something without thinking about it first.
n. a sudden spontaneous inclination or incitement to some usually unpremeditated action.
“He had a sudden impulse to quit his job and travel the world.”
“She struggled to control the impulse to interrupt the speaker, knowing that a premature outburst would undermine her professional standing.”
Pitfall
I bought it on an impulse.
I bought it on impulse.
When describing an action done without planning, the fixed phrase is 'on impulse' without an article.
Antonyms
02physical force
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a sudden push or force that starts something moving.
n. the act of impelling or the state of being impelled; a sudden force that communicates motion.
Español:impulso
“The impulse of the wind pushed the small boat away from the dock.”
“The initial impulse provided by the explosion was sufficient to propel the debris across the entire testing facility.”
03change in momentum
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. the effect of a force acting on an object for a short time.
n. the integral of a force over the time interval during which it acts, resulting in a change in momentum.
“The golfer tried to increase the impulse on the ball by following through with the swing.”
“In classical mechanics, impulse is defined as the product of the average force and the time interval over which it is applied.”
Usage
Usually functions as an uncountable noun in a physics context.
04electrical signal
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. a short burst of energy that travels through a wire or a nerve.
n. a pulse of electrical energy or a nerve discharge that transmits information or triggers an action.
“Nerve impulses carry messages from your brain to your muscles.”
“The sensor detects minute electrical impulses generated by the heart, allowing the machine to map the patient's cardiac rhythm.”
05to drive forward
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Formal
v. to push or encourage someone to take action.
v. to provide an incentive or a physical push; to impel.
“The desire for fame may impulse a person to take great risks.”
“The monarch sought to impulse his subjects toward a more industrious lifestyle through a series of rigorous new decrees.”
Usage
Transitive verb; requires a direct object.
Real-World Examples
“Self-control is our ability to manage impulses, emotions and behaviors in favor of something we value more in the long term.” “But what happens when those impulse buys become a habit rather than a one-off?” “But learning to control our moods, behaviour and impulses is part of growing up, whether one has ADHD or not.” “I used to pop things into my supermarket trolley on impulse, but now I have a totally different relationship with what I want and need.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French impulser, from Latin impulsus. For spelling, as in pulse, the -e (on -lse) is so the end is pronounced /ls/, rather than /lz/ as in pulls, and does not change the vowel (‘u’). Compare else, false, convulse.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Domain
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/impulse
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0