impetuous
gb/ɪmpˈɛt͡ʃuəs/ us/ɪmpˈɛt͡ʃuəs/
C1
English
~ 8400
meggondolatlan, elhamarkodott, heves, sebes
C1
1
Usage pattern:
impetuous [decision/action/remark/person]
In an impetuous moment, he quit his job without a backup plan.
Egy meggondolatlan pillanatában felmondott, anélkül hogy lett volna B terve.
Her impetuous remark offended several people at the meeting.
A meggondolatlan megjegyzése több embert is megsértett az értekezleten.
They made an impetuous decision to get married after only two weeks.
As a teenager, he was known for his impetuous behavior and wild ideas.
The CEO warned against an impetuous response to the bad news from investors.
Learner examples
He sent an impetuous email and later felt sorry.
Küldött egy meggondolatlan e-mailt, és később megbánta.
It was an impetuous decision to buy the car without thinking.
Meggondolatlan döntés volt megvenni az autót gondolkodás nélkül.
She is kind but sometimes a little impetuous.
When I was young, I was very impetuous.
His impetuous words hurt his friend.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "impetuous" with "impatient." "Impetuous" means acting too quickly without thinking, while "impatient" means not able to wait calmly. Learners also sometimes think it means "energetic" or "eager," but it always suggests a lack of careful thought.
Meaning
acting quickly without thinking
Collocations
impetuous decision
|impetuous action
|impetuous remark
|impetuous behavior
|an impetuous young man
|impetuous nature
Synonyms
impulsive (Very close in meaning, but slightly more common and neutral; does not always sound as strongly critical as "impetuous.")
|
rash (Emphasizes poor judgment and risk, often stronger and more negative than "impetuous.")
|
reckless (Stresses ignoring danger or safety, often more serious than "impetuous.")
Antonyms
cautious (Describes someone who thinks carefully and avoids risk, the opposite of acting impetuously.)
|
deliberate (Emphasizes slow, careful thought before acting, contrasting with quick, impetuous behavior.)
Themes
personality
|behavior
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Doing things or saying things very quickly, without thinking carefully first, in a way that may cause problems.
Tending to act or speak suddenly, without careful thought or consideration of the consequences; rash or impulsive.
C1
LITERARY
2
Usage pattern:
impetuous [river/stream/wind/rush]
The hikers struggled to cross the impetuous river after the storm.
A túrázók nehezen tudtak átkelni a vihar utáni sebes sodrású folyón.
An impetuous wind tore branches from the old trees.
A heves szél ágakat tépett le az öreg fákról.
The boat was nearly overturned by the impetuous current.
After days of rain, the once quiet stream became an impetuous torrent.
They could hear the impetuous rush of water echoing through the valley.
Learner examples
Heavy rain made the small river impetuous.
A heves esőzések sebes sodrásúvá tették a kis folyót.
An impetuous wind hit the house all night.
Egész éjjel heves szél ostromolta a házat.
The boat shook in the impetuous waves.
We could not cross the impetuous stream safely.
The impetuous flow of water was very loud.
Meaning
moving fast and forcefully
Collocations
impetuous river
|impetuous stream
|impetuous wind
|impetuous rush
|impetuous flow
Synonyms
rushing (Focuses on fast movement, but does not always suggest the same sudden force as "impetuous.")
|
torrential (Often used for heavy rain or violent water flow; usually stronger and more specific than "impetuous.")
Antonyms
gentle (Describes movement that is soft, calm, or not forceful, which contrasts with the strong force of something impetuous.)
|
calm (Suggests stillness or lack of strong movement, the opposite of sudden, forceful motion.)
Themes
nature
|weather
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Moving very fast and strongly, in a sudden and powerful way.
Moving or rushing with great force and speed, often suddenly and violently.
Grammar
Dictionary form
impetuous
IPA
GB/ɪmpˈɛt͡ʃuəs/
US/ɪmpˈɛt͡ʃuəs/
Syllables & stress
im - petu - ous (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (petu)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: impetuous
Word family
Core family
impetuously
adverb
Related words
impetus
noun
Negative and opposite forms
cautious
adjective B1
Advanced or less common
impetuosity
noun
Expressions
young and impetuous
1/jˈʌŋ ˈænd ɪmpˈɛt͡ʃuəs/
fixed phrase
young and quick to act rashly
Used to describe a young person who often acts or speaks very quickly, without thinking about the result.
Examples
- When I was young and impetuous, I spent all my money on travel.
- He was young and impetuous, so no one was surprised when he suddenly moved abroad.