impress

¹ American  

[im-pres, im-pres] / ɪmˈprɛs, ˈɪm prɛs /

verb (used with object)

impressed, imprest, impressing

1. to affect deeply or strongly in mind or feelings; influence in opinion.

   He impressed us as a sincere young man.

   Synonyms:

   sway, persuade, move, inspire, touch, stir, affect

2. to fix deeply or firmly on the mind or memory, as ideas or facts.

   to impress the importance of honesty on a child.

3. to urge, as something to be remembered or done.

   She impressed the need for action on them.

4. to press (a thing) into or on something.

5. to impose a particular characteristic or quality upon (something).

   The painter impressed his love of garish colors upon the landscape.

6. to produce (a mark, figure, etc.) by pressure; stamp; imprint.

   The king impressed his seal on the melted wax.

7. to apply with pressure, so as to leave a mark.

8. to subject to or mark by pressure with something.

9. to furnish with a mark, figure, etc., by or as if by stamping.

10. Electricity. to produce (a voltage) or cause (a voltage) to appear or be produced on a conductor, circuit, etc.

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verb (used without object)

impressed, imprest, impressing

1. to create a favorable impression; draw attention to oneself.

   a child's behavior intended to impress.

noun

1. the act of impressing.

2. a mark made by or as by pressure; stamp; imprint.

3. a distinctive character or effect imparted.

   writings that bear the impress of a strong personality.

impress ² American  

[im-pres, im-pres] / ɪmˈprɛs, ˈɪm prɛs /

verb (used with object)

impressed, imprest, impressing

1. to press or force into public service, as sailors.

2. to seize or take for public use.

3. to take or persuade into service by forceful arguments.

   The neighbors were impressed into helping the family move.

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noun

1. impressment.

impress ¹ British  

verb

1. to make an impression on; have a strong, lasting, or favourable effect on

   I am impressed by your work

2. to produce (an imprint, etc) by pressure in or on (something)

   to impress a seal in wax

   to impress wax with a seal

3. (often foll by on) to stress (something to a person); urge; emphasize

   to impress the danger of a situation on someone

4. to exert pressure on; press

5. electronics to apply (a voltage) to a circuit or device

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noun

1. the act or an instance of impressing

2. a mark, imprint, or effect produced by impressing

impress ² British  

verb

1. to commandeer or coerce (men or things) into government service; press-gang

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noun

1. the act of commandeering or coercing into government service; impressment

Other Word Forms

• impresser
  noun
• impressible
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of impress¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin impressus, past participle of imprimere “to press into or upon, impress,” equivalent to im- “in” + pressus, past participle of premere (combining form -primere ) “to press”; see im- ¹, press ¹, print

Origin of impress²

First recorded in 1590–1600; im- ¹ + press ²

Explanation

Think of the verb impress as "leaving a mark." You might impress a print onto canvas, or you might impress prospective employers in a job interview. Whether that impression will be good or bad is up to you! The past participle of the Latin verb imprimere, "to press," is impressus, which evolved in the 14th century to the meaning "to make a permanent image." The word then came to be used figuratively, as when your parents impress upon you the importance of being honest or when you impress the judges at a diving competition. Impress can also mean to conscript someone into the army.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

impress impressed impressing imprest

It was the title character in Misty Green, the new movie written and directed by comedian Chris Rock, and Eleazar wanted to impress.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

“It’s super hard because you’re trying to impress, but there are a lot of things you’re trying to balance,” Allen said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2026

The point of the date is to get to know the person better, not to attempt to impress them with how much you can afford to spend.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 25, 2026

Fitness and mental readiness are highly important, and some newcomers might just have that to impress the new manager.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

But Chix Verbil’s ill-fated quest to impress the dames is, once again, another story.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

But, as a dedicated student, Kane impressed his teachers across the board.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

However, Dover College was so impressed, it backed Archer's bid to go to Oxford as a mature student to do a one-year Diploma of Education course.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

Said to have impressed with his in-depth presentations during the recruitment process, he embodies "a new generation with sincere humility", Chanel fashion president Bruno Pavlovsky said of him at the time.

From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026

Two days into Lakers training camp while integrating nine new players during yet another physical practice session, Austin Reaves has been impressed with just how good this Lakers group can be.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026

He slides his long paws over his whiskers in what I’ve noticed is his sign that he’s impressed with himself.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

He was unexpectedly handed his debut in a 1-0 friendly win against New Zealand, impressing in a second-half cameo and becoming the fifth youngest player to represent the Three Lions.

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

So while federal agents swept Ole Miss’ building, Jones worked the phones, impressing upon deep-pocketed Mississippians the do-or-die nature of the coming weeks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

While most said Carrick deserved his shot at the job full-time, others said it smacked of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's appointment, also after impressing in interim charge in 2019.

From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026

As the company achieves notable growth — sales more than doubled in the latest quarter — it’s also impressing Wall Street with its profit performance.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026

I didn’t have to think about impressing nobody.

From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña

While mony a kiss the seal imprest, The sacred vow,—we ne’er should sever.

From The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham by Robert Burns

Thy wisdom is made manifest In all things formed by Thy behest, All with Thy seal's clear mark imprest.

From Hebrew Literature by Epiphanius Wilson

While pity prompts the rising sigh, With awful power imprest; May this dread truth, "I too must die," Sink deep in every breast.

From Masonic Monitor of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason together with the Ceremony of Installation, Laying Corner Stones, Dedications, Masonic Burial, Etc. by George Thornburgh

Nicholas.—We have disposed of our brother, his Prussian Majesty, who appeared to be imprest by the apprehension that a portion of his dominions was in jeopardy.

From The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 1, August, 1851 by Various

She looked at Bazarov—and stood still in the doorway; so greatly was she imprest by the inflamed and at the same time deathly face, with its dim eyes fastened upon her.

From The Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. VIII (of X) - Continental Europe II. by Henry Cabot Lodge

Related Words

• affect
• awe
• excite
• faze
• inspire
• sway
• thrill
• touch