impress
1to affect deeply or strongly in mind or feelings; influence in opinion: He impressed us as a sincere young man.
to fix deeply or firmly on the mind or memory, as ideas or facts:to impress the importance of honesty on a child.
to urge, as something to be remembered or done: She impressed the need for action on them.
to press (a thing) into or on something.
to impose a particular characteristic or quality upon (something): The painter impressed his love of garish colors upon the landscape.
to apply with pressure, so as to leave a mark.
to subject to or mark by pressure with something.
to furnish with a mark, figure, etc., by or as if by stamping.
Electricity. to produce (a voltage) or cause (a voltage) to appear or be produced on a conductor, circuit, etc.
to create a favorable impression; draw attention to oneself: a child's behavior intended to impress.
Origin of impress
1Other words for impress
Other words from impress
- im·press·er, noun
Other definitions for impress (2 of 2)
to press or force into public service, as sailors.
to seize or take for public use.
to take or persuade into service by forceful arguments: The neighbors were impressed into helping the family move.
Origin of impress
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use impress in a sentence
I was more impressed when she nailed a few less flattering character traits.
He was so impressed by the socks that he invited me through my client to come and visit him.
The Hot Designer Who Hates Fashion: VK Nagrani Triumphs His Own Way | Tom Teodorczuk | December 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThough this did nothing to help impart knowledge to his charges, some were impressed anyway by his command of the subject.
Stonewall Jackson, VMI’s Most Embattled Professor | S. C. Gwynne | November 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTCatherine Lemay is impressed by neither the myth nor the reality when she arrives in Montana in the summer of 1956.
The Golden West Up for Grabs: ‘Painted Horses’ Is the Next Great Western Novel | Wendy Smith | November 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe recalled being instantly impressed with Masters the first time they met.
Impressed by the lugubrious scene, Aguinaldo yielded, and the next day peace negotiations were opened.
The Philippine Islands | John ForemanA characteristic which distinguished them and which impressed Mrs. Pontellier most forcibly was their entire absence of prudery.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinFew persons can attain to adult life without being profoundly impressed by the appalling inequalities of our human lot.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice | Stephen LeacockJanet's silence impressed Hilda: it was not merely strange--it was formidable: it affected the whole day.
Hilda Lessways | Arnold BennettPorter had impressed upon his men that to be captured by the Yankees meant certain death.
The Courier of the Ozarks | Byron A. Dunn
British Dictionary definitions for impress (1 of 2)
to make an impression on; have a strong, lasting, or favourable effect on: I am impressed by your work
to produce (an imprint, etc) by pressure in or on (something): to impress a seal in wax; to impress wax with a seal
(often foll by on) to stress (something to a person); urge; emphasize: to impress the danger of a situation on someone
to exert pressure on; press
electronics to apply (a voltage) to a circuit or device
the act or an instance of impressing
a mark, imprint, or effect produced by impressing
Origin of impress
1Derived forms of impress
- impresser, noun
- impressible, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for impress (2 of 2)
to commandeer or coerce (men or things) into government service; press-gang
the act of commandeering or coercing into government service; impressment
Origin of impress
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse