impetuosity

IPA/ɪmˌpetʃuˈɒsəti/
IPA/ɪmˌpetʃuˈɑːsəti/

impetuosity — noun

  • impetuositysingular
  • impetuositiesplural

1. the tendency to act on sudden feelings or desires without first pausing to consi

1.名詞C1
釋義

the tendency to act on sudden feelings or desires without first pausing to consider what the results might be

例句

Mateo's impetuosity often got him into trouble — he sent emails without first checking the facts.

The team regretted their impetuosity after they agreed to the deal without reading the terms.

regret + impetuosity

同義詞
  • impulsiveness

    the most direct synonym; slightly more common in everyday speech

  • recklessness

    stronger negative tone, suggesting danger or harm to others

  • hastiness

    focuses more on speed and lack of patience than on emotional force

反義詞
  • caution

    the habit of thinking carefully before acting

  • deliberation

    the slow, careful process of reaching a decision

文法句型

possessive + impetuosity + verb

impetuosity + in + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Uncountable only in this sense — do not use with 'a' or in plural. Frequently paired with possessive adjectives (his impetuosity, the team's impetuosity) or modifiers like youthful or natural.

常見錯誤

❌He showed an impetuosity when he quit his job.
✅He showed impetuosity when he quit his job.
💡This sense is uncountable and does not take an article.
❌His impetuosities caused problems.
✅His impetuosity caused problems.
💡The plural form is extremely rare in this uncountable sense.

2. a specific action or decision that is carried out suddenly, driven by a strong f

2.名詞C2
釋義

a specific action or decision that is carried out suddenly, driven by a strong feeling rather than by careful thought

例句

Booking the flight to Japan was an impetuosity Tuan regretted after checking his bank balance.

was an impetuosity + [person] regretted

Lucas's impetuosity of quitting the band on stage surprised everyone, including his own bandmates.

同義詞
  • impulse

    neutral and more common; lacks the formal tone of impetuosity

  • whim

    a light, often short-lived sudden desire

  • rash act

    a descriptive phrase that explicitly highlights the lack of thought

反義詞

文法句型

a/an + adjective + impetuosity

possessive + impetuosity + of + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Countable — normally preceded by 'a' or 'an'. The plural form impetuosities exists but is very uncommon. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 names a single deed or impulse, while sense 1 describes a lasting character trait.

常見錯誤

❌Buying the car was impetuosity.
✅Buying the car was an impetuosity.
💡This countable sense needs an article.
❌Her impetuosity of buying the dress was expensive.
✅Her impulse to buy the dress was expensive.
💡The pattern with 'of + gerund' in this countable sense can sound unnatural; an 'impulse' or 'whim' may be clearer in everyday English.