impulsive
gb/ɪmpˈʌlsɪv/ us/ɪmpˈʌlsɪv/
B2
Inglés
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
B2
property
1
acting without thinking first
If you are impulsive, you do things suddenly without thinking.
Patrón de uso:
[someone] is impulsive
Error frecuente:
Do not confuse impulsive (sudden actions) with compulsive (hard to stop; repeated behavior).
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
cautious (Careful about risks and consequences.)
|
thoughtful (Considers things carefully before acting.)
|
deliberate (Planned and done with intention, not sudden.)
Colocaciones
impulsive person
|impulsive behavior
|impulsive reaction
|impulsive actions
|an impulsive nature
|impulsive tendencies
|impulsive outburst
|impulsive decision-making
|impulsive shopper
|impulsive spending
Temas
personality
|behavior
|emotions
Ejemplos
- He’s impulsive and often says things he later regrets.
- As a teenager, she could be impulsive and quick to argue.
- Impulsive drivers are more likely to take unnecessary risks on the road.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- My brother is impulsive.
- I can be impulsive when I’m excited.
adjective
B2
property
2
done suddenly without planning
An impulsive decision or action happens suddenly, without planning.
Patrón de uso:
an impulsive [decision/buy/purchase/move]
Error frecuente:
Impulsive usually implies not enough thought; it is often negative, unlike spontaneous, which can be neutral or positive.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
planned (Arranged in advance.)
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careful (Done with attention to detail and consequences.)
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considered (Thought about seriously before deciding.)
Colocaciones
impulsive decision
|impulsive purchase
|impulsive buy
|impulsive choice
|impulsive move
|impulsive act
|impulsive remark
|impulsive trip
|impulsive text
|impulsive apology
Temas
daily_life
|shopping
|decisions
Ejemplos
- Buying the laptop was an impulsive decision, and she returned it the next day.
- He made an impulsive comment that hurt her feelings.
- The road trip started as an impulsive idea after dinner.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- It was an impulsive purchase.
- I sent an impulsive message.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
impulsive
AFI
GB/ɪmpˈʌlsɪv/
US/ɪmpˈʌlsɪv/
Sílabas y acento
im - puls - ive (3 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (puls)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: impulsive
Familia de palabras
Core family
Related words
impulsivity
noun
Expresiones
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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
impulse buy
1/ˈɪmpʌls bˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
buy without planning
To impulse buy means to buy something suddenly, without planning.
Ejemplos
- 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.
impulse control
1/ˈɪmpʌls kəntɹˈoʊl/
fixed phrase
ability to resist urges
Impulse control is the ability to stop yourself from acting suddenly.
Ejemplos
- 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.
on impulse
1/ˈɔn ˈɪmpʌls/
fixed phrase
without planning or thinking
If you do something on impulse, you do it suddenly without planning.
Ejemplos
- 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.