impressionist
Americannoun
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a person who follows or adheres to the theories, methods, and practices of impressionism, especially in the fields of painting, music, or literature.
-
an entertainer who does impressions.
adjective
noun
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(usually capital) any of the French painters of the late 19th century who were exponents of impressionism
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(sometimes capital) any artist, composer, or writer who uses impressionism
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an entertainer who impersonates famous people
adjective
Other Word Forms
- impressionistic adjective
- impressionistically adverb
- nonimpressionistic adjective
- semi-impressionistic adjective
Etymology
Origin of impressionist
From the French word impressionniste, dating back to 1875–80. See impression, -ist
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
British paintings with repeat sales posted the best mean return of 3.4%, followed by impressionist works with 3.1%.
From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026
In July 2006, Manhattan prosecutors charged Doyle with the theft of a bronze sculpture of a nude dancer by French impressionist Edgar Degas valued at $600,000.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026
The former contains a painting of the local windmills by French impressionist Claude Monet, who visited in 1871.
From BBC • Sep. 28, 2025
Lu’s songwriting is more impressionist than hook-driven, writing quickly to capture ephemeral feelings.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2024
Before long, everyone in the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg— the men out there scouring the continent for hidden libraries, concealed prayer scrolls, closeted impressionist paintings—will be handed rifles and sent into the fire.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
