# impetuous

> English word · Adjective · IPA /imˈpɛt͡ʃuəs/ · frequency rank #47,113

## Definitions
1. Making arbitrary decisions, especially in an impulsive and forceful manner.
2. Characterized by sudden violence or vehemence.

## Etymology
From Middle English impetuous, from Old French impetueux, from Late Latin impetuōsus (“violent”), from Latin impetus (“attack, violence”).

## Easily confused with
- **impetus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/impetuous-vs-impetus)
- **imperious** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/imperious-vs-impetuous)

## Common misspellings (12)
`imeptuous`, `immpetuous`, `impetouus`, `impettuous`, `impetuosu`, `impetuouss`, `impetuuos`, `impeutous`, `imppetuous`, `impteuous`, `ipmetuous`, `mipetuous`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/impetuous