impulse
A sudden strong wish or urge to do something without planning or thinking about the results. It can also describe a short electrical signal in the brain or a machine.
Examples
3 of 5I bought this chocolate bar on impulse while waiting in line.
I bought this chocolate bar suddenly without planning while waiting in line.
The committee's decision was based on a sudden impulse rather than logic.
The committee's decision was based on a sudden urge rather than logic.
I just had a crazy impulse to dye my hair blue!
I just had a sudden, wild wish to dye my hair blue!
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'IM-pulse' as a 'pulse' of energy 'IN' you that pushes you to move or act right now.
Quick Quiz
He didn't mean to shout; he just acted on ______.
Correct!
The correct answer is: impulse
Examples
I bought this chocolate bar on impulse while waiting in line.
everydayI bought this chocolate bar suddenly without planning while waiting in line.
The committee's decision was based on a sudden impulse rather than logic.
formalThe committee's decision was based on a sudden urge rather than logic.
I just had a crazy impulse to dye my hair blue!
informalI just had a sudden, wild wish to dye my hair blue!
Nerve impulses carry information from the skin to the brain.
academicElectrical signals from nerves carry information from the skin to the brain.
Our marketing strategy focuses on encouraging customer impulse purchases.
businessOur marketing strategy focuses on making customers buy things suddenly.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
on impulse
doing something without thinking first
follow an impulse
to do what your sudden feeling tells you
blind impulse
an urge followed without any reasoning
Often Confused With
Impact is the effect or physical hit of something, while impulse is an internal urge to act.
Pulse is the regular beat of your heart; impulse is a sudden feeling or signal.
Usage Notes
Use 'on impulse' when you want to describe an action done without a plan. In science, it is used to describe electrical signals in the nervous system.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'with impulse' instead of the correct phrase 'on impulse'.
Memory Tip
Think of 'IM-pulse' as a 'pulse' of energy 'IN' you that pushes you to move or act right now.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'impulsus', which means 'a push' or 'a physical pressure'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western consumer culture, 'impulse buying' is a major concept used by stores to place small items like candy near the cash register.
Quick Quiz
He didn't mean to shout; he just acted on ______.
Correct!
The correct answer is: impulse
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
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