noun

impetus

IHM-puh-tuhs

noun

Something that drives or encourages an action to happen; a driving force.

"The scandal gave fresh impetus to calls for reform."

"Winning the award gave her the impetus to start a new project."

How to Use Impetus

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe push or motivation that gets something moving or started.

Easily confused with

impetuous →

Common pairings

give impetus to lose impetus fresh impetus

impetuses plural, impetus plural

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The scandal gave fresh _____ to calls for reform.

From Latin impetus ("a rushing upon, an attack"), from impeto ("to rush upon").

fetus Cletus