impress

[verb im-pres; noun im-pres]

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verb (used with object), im·pressed or (Archaic) im·prest; im·pres·sing.

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), im·pressed or (Archaic) im·prest; im·pres·sing.

to create a favorable impression; draw attention to oneself: a child's behavior intended to impress.

noun

the act of impressing.

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

a distinctive character or effect imparted: writings that bear the impress of a strong personality.

Origin of impress

1325–75; Middle English < Latin impressus past participle of imprimere to press into or upon, impress, equivalent to im- im-¹ + pressus past participle of premere (combining form -primere) to press¹; see print

Related formsim·press·er, noun

Synonyms for impress

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1. move, sway, disturb; persuade.

impress

[verb im-pres; noun im-pres]

verb (used with object), im·pressed or (Archaic) im·prest; im·pres·sing.

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

impressment.

Origin of impress

First recorded in 1590–1600; im-¹ + press²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for impressed

fascinated, affected, snowed, dazzled

Examples from the Web for impressed

Contemporary Examples of impressed

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
Though 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
Catherine 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
But I was impressed by the fact that it had never really been forgotten.
Greil Marcus Talks About Trying to Unlock Rock and Roll in 10 Songs
Allen Barra
November 17, 2014
I was impressed by how many young and old people are in the profession.
The Real-Life Raiders of the Lost Ark
Alex Belth
November 14, 2014

Historical Examples of impressed

I knew that I had impressed this strong, splendid woman, but I was a little afraid of her.
The Bacillus of Beauty
Harriet Stark
But it is a matter of degree obviously, since, for instance, I am not impressed by them.
The Secret Agent
Joseph Conrad
He was impressed and startled now, and his intelligence was very alert.
The Secret Agent
Joseph Conrad
Her detachment had impressed Chief Inspector Heat all along.
The Secret Agent
Joseph Conrad
He seemed, indeed, to have been impressed with an expectation that he should fall in the battle.
The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson
Robert Southey

British Dictionary definitions for impressed

impress

verb (ɪmˈprɛs) (tr)

to make an impression on; have a strong, lasting, or favourable effect onI 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; emphasizeto impress the danger of a situation on someone

to exert pressure on; press

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

noun (ˈɪmprɛs)

the act or an instance of impressing

a mark, imprint, or effect produced by impressing

Derived Formsimpresser, nounimpressible, adjective

Word Origin for impress

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

impress

verb (ɪmˈprɛs)

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

noun (ˈɪmprɛs)

the act of commandeering or coercing into government service; impressment

Word Origin for impress

C16: see im- in- ², press ²

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for impressed

adj.

early 15c., "pressed or forced upon" (the mind), past participle adjective from impress (v.).

impress

late 14c., "have a strong effect on the mind or heart," from Latin impressus, past participle of imprimere "press into or upon, stamp," from assimilated form of in- "into, in, on, upon" (see in- (2)) + premere "to press" (see press (v.1)). Literal sense of "to apply with pressure, make a permanent image in, indent, imprint" is from early 15c. in English. Sense of "to levy for military service" is from 1590s, a meaning more from press (v.2). Related: Impressed; impressing.

impress

"act of impressing," also "characteristic mark," 1590s, from impress (v.).