Impulsive
/ɪmˈpʌl.sɪv/noun
Acting suddenly without careful thought or planning.
Did you know?Impulsive ultimately comes from Latin *impulsus*, “a pushing against,” from *impellere*—the same root behind words for driving, striking, and forceful motion.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pel-
“to thrust, strike, drive”
Latin
Latin
pellere
“to drive, strike, push”
Latin
Latin
impellere
“to drive on, push forward, urge”
Latin
Latin
impulsus
“a pushing against; an incitement”
Middle English
English
impulsif
“driven or incited to action”
Modern English
English
impulsive
“acting on sudden impulse or without forethought”