# impulsive

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ɪmˈpʌlsɪv/ · frequency rank #20,389

## Definitions
1. Having the power of driving or impelling; giving an impulse; moving; impellent.
2. Actuated by impulse or by transient feelings; inclined to make rapid decisions without due consideration.
3. Acting momentarily, or by impulse; not continuous – said of forces.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French impulsif, from Latin impulsivus.

## Easily confused with
- **impulsively** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/impulsive-vs-impulsively)
- **impulse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/impulse-vs-impulsive)

## Common misspellings (13)
`immpulsive`, `implusive`, `imppulsive`, `impulisve`, `impullsive`, `impulsiev`, `impulsivve`, `impulssive`, `impulsvie`, `impuslive`, `imuplsive`, `ipmulsive`, `mipulsive`

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