ENGLISH
REFERENCE

impulsive

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɪmˈpəɫsɪv// UK //ɪmpˈʌlsɪv// im·pul·sive

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.


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.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French impulsif, from Latin impulsivus.

Usage

Often follows linking verbs like 'be', 'seem', or 'become'.

Pitfall

He acted in an impulsive wayHe acted impulsivelyWhile 'in an impulsive way' is grammatically correct, learners often over-rely on this phrase instead of using the more natural adverb form 'impulsively'.

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