impulse
gb/ˈɪmpʌls/ us/ˈɪmpʌls/
B1
English
~ 2600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
sudden urge to act
A sudden strong feeling that makes you want to do something without thinking first.
Usage pattern:
to act on [an impulse]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'impulse' with 'compulsion'; 'compulsion' often implies a psychological condition, while 'impulse' is simply a sudden desire.
Synonyms
urge (A general strong desire, not necessarily sudden or unplanned.)
|
whim (A sudden idea or wish, often lighter and less intense than 'impulse'.)
Antonyms
restraint (The ability to control oneself and avoid acting on impulses.)
Collocations
act on impulse
|buy on impulse
|impulse decision
|resist an impulse
|sudden impulse
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She bought the expensive dress on a sudden impulse.
- On an impulse, he called his old friend after years of silence.
- Traveling to Paris was not planned; it was pure impulse.
- He resisted the impulse to shout back at her.
- I had an impulse to quit my job immediately.
Learner examples
- I bought the shoes on impulse.
- He called her on impulse.
- She had an impulse to run away.
- I fought the impulse to eat more cake.
- We decided to go out on impulse.
Noun
technical
B2
event
2
brief burst of energy or signal
A short, quick movement of electricity or signal in the body or a device.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'impulse' with 'pulse'; 'pulse' can mean a regular beat, but 'impulse' is usually one short burst.
Synonyms
signal (A general term for transmitted information; may be longer-lasting than an impulse.)
|
pulse (Often refers to repeated signals, while 'impulse' is a single event.)
Antonyms
steady current (A continuous flow of energy, unlike a short burst.)
Collocations
nerve impulse
|electrical impulse
|signal impulse
|light impulse
Themes
science
|technology
|medicine
Examples
- The nerve impulse travels from the brain to the muscles.
- An electrical impulse triggered the device.
- Light impulses are used in optical communication.
- The doctor measured the speed of nerve impulses.
- A sudden impulse in the circuit caused it to fail.
Learner examples
- The brain sends impulses to the body.
- A nerve impulse moves very fast.
- The light made an impulse in the sensor.
- An electrical impulse started the motor.
- Impulses travel along nerves.
Noun
technical
B2
quantity
3
change in momentum over time
In science, when a force acts for some time and changes how fast something moves.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with everyday 'impulse' meaning desire; in physics it has no emotional meaning.
Synonyms
momentum change (Describes the result of an impulse rather than the action itself.)
Antonyms
constant motion (No change in momentum occurs.)
Collocations
mechanical impulse
|impulse force
|impulse calculation
Themes
science
|physics
Examples
- The bat gave the ball an impulse that sent it flying.
- Impulse is calculated as force multiplied by time.
- A large impulse can stop a moving object instantly.
- Engineers measured the impulse generated by the engine.
- The collision created an impulse that damaged the structure.
Learner examples
- The kick gave an impulse to the ball.
- Impulse changes how fast something moves.
- We can find impulse using force and time.
- A big impulse can stop a car quickly.
- The bat gave an impulse to the ball.
Grammar
Dictionary form
impulse
IPA
GB/ˈɪmpʌls/
US/ˈɪmpʌls/
Syllables & stress
im - pulse (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (im)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: impulse
- Plural: impulse, impulses
Word family
Forms
impulses
noun
Core family
impulsive
adjective B2
impulsively
adverb
Related words
impulsiveness
noun
Advanced or less common
impulsivity
noun
impel
verb
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.
buy on impulse
1/bˈaɪ ˈɔn ˈɪmpʌls/
fixed phrase
make an unplanned purchase
To buy something suddenly without planning or thinking about it carefully.
Examples
- I bought this jacket on impulse because it was on sale.
- He tends to buy on impulse when he is stressed.
resist the impulse
1/ɹɪzˈɪst ðə ˈɪmpʌls/
fixed phrase
stop yourself from acting suddenly
To stop yourself from doing something you suddenly want to do without thinking first.
Examples
- She resisted the impulse to check her phone during dinner.
- I had to resist the impulse to laugh.