impress

[ verb im-pres; noun im-pres ]

/ verb ɪmˈprɛs; noun ˈɪm prɛs /

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See synonyms for: impress / impressed / impresses / impressing on Thesaurus.com

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR impress

1 affect; stir, touch; inspire, move, persuade, sway.

See synonyms for impress on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of impress

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, press¹, print

OTHER WORDS FROM impress

im·press·er, noun

Other definitions for impress (2 of 2)

impress²

[ verb im-pres; noun im-pres ]

/ verb ɪmˈprɛs; noun ˈɪm prɛs /

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. 2023

How to use impress in a sentence

I was more impressed when she nailed a few less flattering character traits.
Can Self-Help Books Really Make a New You?|Lizzie Crocker|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

He recalled being instantly impressed with Masters the first time they met.
The Godfather of Right-Wing Radio|Caitlin Dickson|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Impressed by the lugubrious scene, Aguinaldo yielded, and the next day peace negotiations were opened.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
A characteristic which distinguished them and which impressed Mrs. Pontellier most forcibly was their entire absence of prudery.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
Few 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 Leacock
Janet's silence impressed Hilda: it was not merely strange--it was formidable: it affected the whole day.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
Porter 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)

impress¹

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 forms of impress

impresser, nounimpressible, adjective

Word Origin for impress

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

British Dictionary definitions for impress (2 of 2)

impress²

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

impress

OTHER WORDS FOR impress

Origin of impress

OTHER WORDS FROM impress

Other definitions for impress (2 of 2)

Origin of impress

Words related to impress

How to use impress in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for impress (1 of 2)

Derived forms of impress

Word Origin for impress

British Dictionary definitions for impress (2 of 2)

Word Origin for impress