impress

¹

[ verb im-pres; noun im-pres ]

verb (used with object)

impressed or (Archaic) 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.

verb (used without object)

impressed or (Archaic) 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

[ verb im-pres; noun im-pres ]

verb (used with object)

impressed or (Archaic) 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.

noun

1. impressment.

impress

¹

verb

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

noun

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

impress

²

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

noun

1. the act or an instance of impressing
2. a mark, imprint, or effect produced by impressing

Derived Forms

• imˈpresser, noun
• imˈpressible, adjective

Other Words From

• im·presser noun

Word History and Origins

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”; im- ¹, press ¹, print

Origin of impress²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of impress¹

C16: see im- in- ², press ²

Origin of impress²

C14: from Latin imprimere to press into, imprint, from premere to press ¹

Example Sentences

After voting for Republican presidential candidates in the past, she went for Harris this year, impressed by the Democrat’s stance on affordable housing and rental assistance as Arcadia residents battle soaring housing costs.

From Los Angeles Times

Dominating the domestic season, he impressed in the domestic Duleep Trophy, paving the way for a sensational return to Test cricket.

From BBC

European action offers France-based players their best chance of impressing British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell before the tour of Australia in the summer.

From BBC

It was wild, and I was so impressed by it.

From Los Angeles Times

He's ready to blow it all up to impress him.

From Salon

Related Words

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