Impulse
'ɪmpʌls
Definitions
2 meaningsA sudden and strong urge or desire to do something, often without conscious thought.
'ɪmpʌls
A sudden strong urge to do something.
He acted on impulse and regretted it later.
💡 Simply: It's like a sudden feeling that makes you want to do something right now, without much thinking. Like, you see a yummy ice cream and have an impulse to buy it!
👶 For kids: A sudden idea that tells you to do something, like when you really want a cookie!
More Examples
The impulse to run away overwhelmed her.
She resisted the impulse to scream.
How It's Used
"The patient struggled to control their impulses."
"I bought the dress on impulse."
A force acting on an object for a short time, producing a change of momentum.
'ɪmpʌls
A force that starts something moving.
The impulse of the rocket engine propelled the spacecraft.
💡 Simply: Imagine a quick push or a jolt that starts something moving. Like when you hit a ball, your push gives it an impulse.
👶 For kids: A little push that makes something start to move.
More Examples
The electrical impulse sent the data.
A sudden impulse of force caused the car to skid.
How It's Used
"The impulse from the collision changed the object's momentum."
"The electrical impulse triggered the circuit."
Idioms & expressions
on impulse
Driven by a sudden, immediate desire without planning.
"She bought the painting on impulse."
From Latin *impulsus*, past participle of *impellere* ('to drive, urge on'), from *in-* ('in, on') + *pellere* ('to drive, push').
Historically used in religious contexts to describe divine influence or prompting.
Memory tip
Think of a sudden 'pulse' of energy that pushes you to act.