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 move, sway, disturb; persuade.

See synonyms for impress on Thesaurus.com

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The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.

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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

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. 2022

How to use impress in a sentence

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

But he failed to impose upon the Colonel, and was even far from impressing him with this trumped-up knowledge of bygone days.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
This monument faces the principal entrance with the careful design of impressing the visitor, and its impact can be tremendous.
A Wanderer in Paris|E. V. Lucas
The accompanying barks were probably involuntary, but they were a great help in astonishing and impressing the natives.
The Adventures of Louis de Rougemont|Louis de Rougemont
Never once, you see, did I lose an opportunity of impressing the savages among whom I dwelt.
The Adventures of Louis de Rougemont|Louis de Rougemont
She succeeded in impressing the nations with a favourable idea of her subjects.
Celebrated Travels and Travellers|Jules Verne

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