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 impressing

thrill, faze, excite, touch, affect, awe, sway, inspire, mark, slay, move, pique, arouse, kill, carry, bulldoze, provoke, electrify, score, galvanize

Examples from the Web for impressing

Contemporary Examples of impressing

One would be in the midst of a lot of actors, and besides, they're really only good for impressing shopgirls.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days
David Freeman
December 13, 2014
Just impressing each other with their photo thefts appears to be reward enough for them.
'The Fappening' and Revenge Porn Culture: Jennifer Lawrence and the Creepshot Epidemic
Amanda Marcotte
September 3, 2014
Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore valiantly battles Hurricane Isaac in New Orleans Wednesday morning, impressing everyone.
Clint Eastwood Talks to Invisible, a SEAL Speaks & More Viral Videos
The Daily Beast Video
September 1, 2012
They manage to excite their respective party bases while also impressing establishment heavyweights.
New Jersey’s Chris Christie and Cory Booker Swap Partisan Bickering for Collaboration
John Avlon
May 16, 2012

Historical Examples of impressing

Wilhelmine's statements were impressing de Loubersac less and less favourably.
A Nest of Spies
Pierre Souvestre
He was very earnest in impressing on Heemskirk his own feeling of absolute security.
'Twixt Land & Sea
Joseph Conrad
We were not singing it—any of us, except Babberly—with a view to impressing other people.
The Red Hand of Ulster
George A. Birmingham
I have no doubt that she was successful in impressing her views on Babberly and the others.
The Red Hand of Ulster
George A. Birmingham
As for impressing her, or hoping to impress her, with rank—pooh!
Wisdom, Wit, and Pathos of Ouida
Ouida

British Dictionary definitions for impressing

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 impressing

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.).