impulsive
gb/ɪmpˈʌlsɪv/ us/ɪmpˈʌlsɪv/
B2
English
impulzív, meggondolatlan, elhamarkodott
B2
1
impulzív
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is impulsive
He’s impulsive and often says things he later regrets.
Impulzív, és gyakran mond olyasmit, amit később megbán.
As a teenager, she could be impulsive and quick to argue.
Tiniként tudott impulzív lenni, és könnyen vitába szállt.
Impulsive drivers are more likely to take unnecessary risks on the road.
Learner examples
My brother is impulsive.
A bátyám impulzív.
I can be impulsive when I’m excited.
Amikor izgatott vagyok, tudok impulzív lenni.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse impulsive (sudden actions) with compulsive (hard to stop; repeated behavior).
Meaning
acting without thinking first
Collocations
impulsive person
|impulsive behavior
|impulsive reaction
|impulsive actions
|an impulsive nature
|impulsive tendencies
|impulsive outburst
|impulsive decision-making
|impulsive shopper
|impulsive spending
Synonyms
rash (Emphasizes poor judgment and likely bad results.)
|
spontaneous (More positive; suggests natural, lively action rather than carelessness.)
|
impetuous (More formal; suggests acting quickly and forcefully.)
Antonyms
cautious (Careful about risks and consequences.)
|
thoughtful (Considers things carefully before acting.)
|
deliberate (Planned and done with intention, not sudden.)
Themes
personality
|behavior
|emotions
Definition
If you are impulsive, you do things suddenly without thinking.
Tending to act quickly based on a sudden feeling or desire, without thinking carefully about the results.
B2
2
impulzív
B2
Usage pattern:
an impulsive [decision/buy/purchase/move]
Buying the laptop was an impulsive decision, and she returned it the next day.
A laptop megvétele elhamarkodott döntés volt, és másnap visszavitte.
He made an impulsive comment that hurt her feelings.
Tett egy elhamarkodott megjegyzést, amivel megbántotta.
The road trip started as an impulsive idea after dinner.
Learner examples
It was an impulsive purchase.
Elhamarkodott vásárlás volt.
I sent an impulsive message.
Hirtelen felindulásból küldtem egy üzenetet.
Common mistake:
Impulsive usually implies not enough thought; it is often negative, unlike spontaneous, which can be neutral or positive.
Meaning
done suddenly without planning
Collocations
impulsive decision
|impulsive purchase
|impulsive buy
|impulsive choice
|impulsive move
|impulsive act
|impulsive remark
|impulsive trip
|impulsive text
|impulsive apology
Synonyms
unplanned (Neutral; focuses on lack of planning, not personality.)
|
spur-of-the-moment (Informal; highlights doing something suddenly because you feel like it.)
|
hasty (Suggests being too fast and not careful enough.)
Antonyms
planned (Arranged in advance.)
|
careful (Done with attention to detail and consequences.)
|
considered (Thought about seriously before deciding.)
Themes
daily_life
|shopping
|decisions
Definition
An impulsive decision or action happens suddenly, without planning.
Done suddenly because of a momentary feeling or desire, without planning or careful consideration.
Grammar
Dictionary form
impulsive
IPA
GB/ɪmpˈʌlsɪv/
US/ɪmpˈʌlsɪv/
Syllables & stress
im - puls - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (puls)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: impulsive
Word family
Core family
Related words
impulsivity
noun
Expressions
act on impulse
1/ˈækt ˈɔn ˈɪmpʌls/
fixed phrase
do something without planning
To do something suddenly because you feel like it, without thinking about it first.
Examples
- She acted on impulse and booked a ticket to Rome.
- He often acts on impulse when shopping.
act on impulse
1/ˈækt ˈɔn ˈɪmpʌls/
fixed phrase
do something suddenly
To act on impulse means to do something without thinking first.
Examples
- He tends to act on impulse when he’s angry.
- Try not to act on impulse—sleep on it and decide tomorrow.
- If you act on impulse, you may miss important details.
Learner examples
- I acted on impulse and apologized.
impulse buy
1/ˈɪmpʌls bˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
buy without planning
To impulse buy means to buy something suddenly, without planning.
Examples
- I didn’t need it—I just impulse bought it at the checkout.
- Stores place small items near the register to encourage people to impulse buy.
- He tends to impulse buy gadgets when they’re on sale.
Learner examples
- I impulse bought some candy.
impulse control
1/ˈɪmpʌls kəntɹˈoʊl/
fixed phrase
ability to resist urges
Impulse control is the ability to stop yourself from acting suddenly.
Examples
- He’s working on impulse control, especially when he’s stressed.
- Poor impulse control can lead to risky decisions.
- The program teaches kids strategies for better impulse control.
Learner examples
- I need better impulse control.
on impulse
1/ˈɔn ˈɪmpʌls/
fixed phrase
without planning or thinking
If you do something on impulse, you do it suddenly without planning.
Examples
- I bought the tickets on impulse and worried about the cost later.
- Don’t quit your job on impulse—think it through first.
- She cut her hair on impulse after a bad day.
Learner examples
- I bought it on impulse.