impulse
IHM-puhls
Impulse (noun) means a sudden strong urge to act, often without thinking it through. Example: “She had a sudden impulse to quit her job and travel the world.”
noun
1
A sudden strong urge to act, often without thinking it through.
"She had a sudden impulse to quit her job and travel the world."
"He fought the impulse to shout back at the rude customer."
"On an impulse, we pulled over and bought a bunch of flowers."
2
A sudden force or push that sets something in motion.
"The electrical impulse triggers the muscle to contract."
"A strong impulse from the engine pushed the small boat forward."
"The nerve sends an impulse along the arm in a fraction of a second."
How to use impulse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sudden urge to do something, or (more technically) a sudden burst of force or energy.
Common pairings
on impulse
impulse buy
resist the impulse
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Word forms
- Plural
- impulses
- Third person singular
- impulses
- Past tense
- impulsed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She had a sudden _____ to quit her job and travel the world.
Etymology
From Latin impulsus, from impellere ("to push against, urge on").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for impulse
See all rhymes for impulse →Frequently asked questions
What does “impulse” mean?
The word “impulse” means a sudden strong urge to act, often without thinking it through. In plain terms, a sudden urge to do something, or (more technically) a sudden burst of force or energy.
How do you pronounce “impulse”?
“Impulse” is pronounced IHM-puhls (/ˈɪmpʌls/ in IPA).
How do you use “impulse” in a sentence?
Here is “impulse” used in a sentence: “She had a sudden impulse to quit her job and travel the world.”
What part of speech is “impulse”?
“Impulse” is a noun.
Where does the word “impulse” come from?
The word “impulse” comes from Latin. From Latin impulsus, from impellere ("to push against, urge on").
Is “impulse” a common word?
“Impulse” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “impulse” have?
“Impulse” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden strong urge to act, often without thinking it through.
What is the difference between impulse and instinct?
Impulse refers to a sudden urge to act, often without thinking it through, and can arise from emotion or momentary desire. Instinct refers to an innate, automatic behavior pattern that is not learned, such as a natural reaction present from birth, making instinct more biologically fixed than a passing impulse.
What does impulse mean in physics?
In physics, impulse refers to a sudden force or push that sets an object in motion, related to the change in momentum an object experiences. This technical sense is distinct from the everyday meaning of a sudden urge to act.
What does it mean to buy something on impulse?
Buying something on impulse means making a purchase suddenly, driven by a spontaneous urge rather than careful planning, which is why unplanned purchases are often called impulse buys. This term is widely used in retail and marketing.
