Impulsive definition | Dictionary.com

im⋅pul⋅sive

[im-puhl-siv]

–adjective

1.	actuated or swayed by emotional or involuntary impulses: an impulsive child.

2.	having the power or effect of impelling; characterized by impulsion: impulsive forces.

3.	inciting to action: the impulsive effects of a revolutionary idea.

4.	Mechanics. (of forces) acting momentarily; not continuous.

Origin:
1375–1425 for an earlier sense; 1545–55 for current senses; late ME impulsif < ML impulsīvus. See impulse, -ive

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : Impulsive

Spanish:

impulsivo,

German:

impulsiv,

Japanese:

衝動的な

View 30 other languages »

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im·pul·sive (ĭm-pŭl'sĭv) Pronunciation Key
adj.

Inclined to act on impulse rather than thought.
Motivated by or resulting from impulse: such impulsive acts as hugging strangers; impulsive generosity. See Synonyms at spontaneous.
Having force or power to impel or incite; forceful.
Physics Acting within brief time intervals. Used especially of a force.

im·pul'sive·ly adv., im·pul'sive·ness, im'pul·siv'i·ty n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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impulsive
adjective
1.	proceeding from natural feeling or impulse without external stimulus; "an impulsive gesture of affection"
2.	without forethought; "letting him borrow her car was an impulsive act that she immediately regretted"
3.	having the power of driving or impelling; "a driving personal ambition"; "the driving force was his innate enthusiasm"; "an impulsive force" [syn: driving]
4.	determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason; "a capricious refusal"; "authoritarian rulers are frequently capricious"; "the victim of whimsical persecutions" [syn: capricious]
5.	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"; ('brainish' is archaic) [syn: hotheaded]

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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impulsive im·pul·sive (ĭm-pŭl'sĭv)
adj.

Inclined or tending to act on impulse rather than thought.
Motivated by or resulting from impulse.

im·pul'sive·ness or im'pul·siv'i·ty n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Main Entry: im·pul·sive
Pronunciation: im-'p&l-siv
Function: adjective
1 : having the power of or actually driving or impelling
2 : actuated by or prone to act on impulse <impulsive behavior>
3 : acting momentarily impulsive auditory stimuli> —im·pul·sive·ly adverb —im·pul·sive·ness noun —im·pul·siv·i·ty /-"p&l-'siv-&t-E/ noun plural -ties

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Impulsive

Im*pul"sive\, a. [Cf. F. impulsif.]

1. Having the power of driving or impelling; giving an impulse; moving; impellent.

Poor men! poor papers! We and they Do some impulsive force obey. --Prior.

2. Actuated by impulse or by transient feelings.

My heart, impulsive and wayward. --Longfellow.

3. (Mech.) Acting momentarily, or by impulse; not continuous; -- said of forces.

Impulsive

Im*pul"sive\, n. That which impels or gives an impulse; an impelling agent. --Sir W. Wotton.