Origin: Latin
suffix -ous
Impetuous has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
Adjective
Adjective
1
characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation
"a hotheaded decision"
"liable to such impulsive acts as hugging strangers"
"an impetuous display of spending and gambling"
"madcap escapades"
2
marked by violent force
"impetuous heaving waves"
3
Making arbitrary decisions, especially in an impulsive and forceful manner.
Example Sentences
"a hotheaded decision"
adjective
"liable to such impulsive acts as hugging strangers"
adjective
"an impetuous display of spending and gambling"
adjective
"madcap escapades"
adjective
"impetuous heaving waves"
adjective
Origin
The word comes from the Old French impetueux, which was borrowed from Late Latin impetuōsus. It originally meant "violent," deriving from the Latin root for an attack or force.