impress

[ verb im-pres; noun im-pres ]

/ verb ɪmˈprɛs; noun ˈɪm prɛs /

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.

SYNONYMS FOR impress

1 move, sway, disturb; persuade.

See synonyms for impress on Thesaurus.com

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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

Definition 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. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for impress

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

The solid metal stamp used for impressing a design on a book cover.
Library Bookbinding|Arthur Low Bailey
Today it seemed to be impressing crowd and jury as the truth.
Mystery Ranch|Arthur Chapman
He always looked forward to impressing his audience deeply by his skill in combat.
A Book of the Play|Dutton Cook
A person desirous of impressing Lord Ellenborough with his importance, said, "I sometimes employ myself as a doctor."
The Jest Book|Mark Lemon
The first of these methods—the living voice—has many advantages over all other means, in conveying and impressing truth.
Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation|An American Citizen

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

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impress

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

verb (used without object), im·pressed or (Archaic) im·prest; im·pres·sing.

noun

SYNONYMS FOR impress

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Origin of impress

OTHER WORDS FROM impress

Definition for impress (2 of 2)

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

noun

Origin of impress

Example sentences from the Web for impress

British Dictionary definitions for impress (1 of 2)

verb (ɪmˈprɛs) (tr)

noun (ˈɪmprɛs)

Derived forms of impress

Word Origin for impress

British Dictionary definitions for impress (2 of 2)

verb (ɪmˈprɛs)

noun (ˈɪmprɛs)

Word Origin for impress

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

impress

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

verb (used without object), im·pressed or (Archaic) im·prest; im·pres·sing.

noun

SYNONYMS FOR impress

QUIZZES

LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!

Origin of impress

OTHER WORDS FROM impress

Definition for impress (2 of 2)

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

noun

Origin of impress

Words related to impress

Example sentences from the Web for impress

British Dictionary definitions for impress (1 of 2)

verb (ɪmˈprɛs) (tr)

noun (ˈɪmprɛs)

Derived forms of impress

Word Origin for impress

British Dictionary definitions for impress (2 of 2)

verb (ɪmˈprɛs)

noun (ˈɪmprɛs)

Word Origin for impress