impress
1 Americanverb (used with object)
-
to 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 produce (a mark, figure, etc.) by pressure; stamp; imprint.
The king impressed his seal on the melted wax.
-
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.
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
-
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.
noun
verb
-
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
noun
-
the act or an instance of impressing
-
a mark, imprint, or effect produced by impressing
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
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
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.
Vocabulary lists containing impress
"Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Save Me a Seat
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Long Way Down
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
The only senior player other then Joao Pedro to particularly impress was winger Jamie Gittens, who made it three goals in three appearances in pre-season, following his two in behind-closed-doors friendlies against EFL opposition.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
But they’ve got another bone to pick with Holden Caulfield: He is being used as a prop by performative men to impress those around him.
From Salon ● Jul. 25, 2026
Los Angeles-based Alo, one of Lululemon’s chief rivals in the West, has gained buzz on the Chinese internet as some travelers purchased its apparel abroad to impress friends back home.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
In an era when politics has never been more visual, he'll need to dress to impress, whatever he decides to wear.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
"Probably to impress you. I don't think he read it himself."
From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse
Not only was Iamaleava impressed with his plans to prepare him for the NFL, but he found himself right away swept up in the coach’s personality.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
Drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon are definitely not impressed - although they continue to say the right things in public.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026
A few of the subordinate roles are amateurishly performed, but the main parts are vividly pulled off, and I was generally impressed by the ensemble’s flow and cohesion.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
"He is really strong, really quick and I have been really impressed with him."
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
Camille is particularly impressed by our detective work at the library.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
He won the nomination after impressing his CEA colleagues.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026
The sight of another midfielder, Johan Manzambi, impressing for Switzerland ultimately left Newcastle wondering what might have been after their top target opted to join Aston Villa instead.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
At the back, England struggled to live with Spain's creativity and dynamism, with only Esme Morgan impressing in a generally dismal performance.
From BBC ● Jun. 9, 2026
Part of the Windsor visit’s appeal to Patel, agents told the New York Times, was impressing his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, who is 18 years his junior.
From Salon ● Apr. 24, 2026
They had held him spellbound, and now they were impressing Maria so much that she was practically glued to him.
From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer
The chosen angels, and the spirits blest, Celestial tenants, on that glorious day My Lady join'd them, throng'd in bright array Around her, with amaze and awe imprest.
From The Sonnets, Triumphs, and Other Poems of Petrarch by Campbell, Thomas
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 Thornburgh, George
Our young man, however, did not seem to be imprest either with this spectacle of destruction or with the beauty of the sky, tinged with the rosy colors of the dawning day.
From The Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. VIII (of X) - Continental Europe II. by Lodge, Henry Cabot
No certain form on any was imprest; All were confused, and each disturbed the rest.
From Heathen Mythology by Various
Preeminent above all other suggestions, I am imprest with his vivid sense of the reality of the redemptive work of Christ.
From The World's Great Sermons, Volume 10 Drummond to Jowett, and General Index by Kleiser, Grenville
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.
