Word
impulsive
Phoneticsim·pul·sive, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪmˈpəɫsɪv/
UK/ɪmpˈʌlsɪv/
Definition
adj. doing things suddenly without thinking about what might happen next. You use this to describe someone who acts on their feelings right away.
adj. acting or done without forethought or consideration of the consequences. Often used to describe personality traits or specific spontaneous actions.
Examples
“He made an impulsive decision to buy the expensive car.”
“She regretted her impulsive comment as soon as she saw the hurt look on her friend's face.”
“While some admire his spontaneous nature, others find his impulsive habit of quitting jobs without a backup plan to be deeply irresponsible.”
Examples
simple
“He made an impulsive decision to buy the expensive car.”
contextual
“She regretted her impulsive comment as soon as she saw the hurt look on her friend's face.”
complex
“While some admire his spontaneous nature, others find his impulsive habit of quitting jobs without a backup plan to be deeply irresponsible.”
Usage
Often follows linking verbs like 'be', 'seem', or 'become'.
Pitfall
He acted in an impulsive way
He acted impulsively
While 'in an impulsive way' is grammatically correct, learners often over-rely on this phrase instead of using the more natural adverb form 'impulsively'.
Real-World Examples
“Adding fuel to Canadians’ financial fire is the growing economic trend of “doom-spending” — impulsive, stress-driven purchases of non-essentials by those left feeling hopeless about their financial futures.” “Estiarte continues: “I said to the team: ‘Please, you have to understand, you’re not playing with a coach who can be a bit impulsive, intense, sometimes a bit up and down.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French impulsif, from Latin impulsivus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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
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