impressive
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of impressive
Explanation
Something that is impressive stands out because it is really good. Some of the most impressive college application essays are those that reflect on past events that shaped who the writer is today. When you impress someone, you show that you are special or that what you did is praiseworthy. So something that's impressive does just that, like the impressive feat of running a marathon every week for a year. The earliest meaning of impressive was "capable of being easily impressed," from the Latin word impressus, "imprint or stamp." By around 1775, the meaning had changed to "making a strong impression on."
Vocabulary lists containing impressive
A Long Walk to Water
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Freak the Mighty
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The City of Ember
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Released internationally in 2023, they feature impressive balance even at three years and younger.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026
The ratings feat is even more impressive when you consider it’s comparable to the sort of viewership seen before streaming even existed.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026
After impressive warm-up victories against Curacao and Bolivia - with eight goals scored - expectations were high for the Scots' return to the global stage.
From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026
Christian Pulisic sets up two goals and Folarin Balogun scores twice behind an impressive offensive showcase by the U.S. in a 4-1 World Cup win over Paraguay.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2026
Although William’s job title was impressive, his working conditions were anything but.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
