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Erratic vs Impetuous - What's the difference?

erratic | impetuous | Related terms |

Erratic is a related term of impetuous.


As adjectives the difference between erratic and impetuous

is that erratic is unsteady, random; prone to unexpected changes; not consistent while impetuous is making arbitrary decisions, especially in an impulsive and forceful manner.

As a noun erratic

is (geology) a rock moved from one location to another, usually by a glacier.

erratic

English

Alternative forms

* erratick, erraticke, erratique (obsolete)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • unsteady, random; prone to unexpected changes; not consistent
    • Henry has been getting erratic scores on his tests: 40% last week, but 98% this week.
  • Deviating from the common course in opinion or conduct; eccentric; odd.
    • erratic conduct

    Derived terms

    * erratically

    Antonyms

    * consistent

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (geology) A rock moved from one location to another, usually by a glacier.
  • * 2003 , (Bill Bryson), A Short History of Nearly Everything , BCA 2003, p. 372:
    • The term for a displaced boulder is an erratic , but in the nineteenth century the expression seemed to apply more often to the theories than to the rocks.
  • Anything that has erratic characteristics.

    • Anagrams

    *

    impetuous

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Making arbitrary decisions, especially in an impulsive and forceful manner.
  • * 1880 , John Weeks Moore, Complete Encyclopaedia of Music , "":
    • But it was natural, that the impetuous , restless young artist should incline more to excess of strength than of delicacy in his playing.
  • Characterized by sudden and violent force.
  • * 1794 , :
    • He stands, and views in the faint rays
    Far, far below, the torrent's rising surge,
    And listens to the wild impetuous roar

    Synonyms

    * impulsive * hasty * rash * hotheaded