impose

[ im-pohz ]

/ ɪmˈpoʊz /

verb (used with object), im·posed, im·pos·ing.

to lay on or set as something to be borne, endured, obeyed, fulfilled, paid, etc.: to impose taxes.

to put or set by or as if by authority: to impose one's personal preference on others.

to obtrude or thrust (oneself, one's company, etc.) upon others.

to pass or palm off fraudulently or deceptively: He imposed his pretentious books on the public.

Printing. to lay (type pages, plates, etc.) in proper order on an imposing stone or the like and secure in a chase for printing.

to lay on or inflict, as a penalty.

Archaic. to put or place on something, or in a particular place.

Obsolete. to lay on (the hands) ceremonially, as in confirmation or ordination.

verb (used without object), im·posed, im·pos·ing.

to make an impression on the mind; impose one's or its authority or influence.

to obtrude oneself or one's requirements, as upon others: Are you sure my request doesn't impose?

to presume, as upon patience or good nature.

Verb Phrases

impose on/upon,

to thrust oneself offensively upon others; intrude.
to take unfair advantage of; misuse (influence, friendship, etc.).
to defraud; cheat; deceive: A study recently showed the shocking number of confidence men that impose on the public.

Origin of impose

1475–85; late Middle English < Middle French imposer, equivalent to im- im-¹ + poser to pose¹; see also pose²

SYNONYMS FOR impose

3 force, foist.

OTHER WORDS FROM impose

im·pos·a·ble, adjective im·pos·er, noun o·ver·im·pose, verb (used with object), o·ver·im·posed, o·ver·im·pos·ing. pre·im·pose, verb (used with object), pre·im·posed, pre·im·pos·ing.

re·im·pose, verb, re·im·posed, re·im·pos·ing. sub·im·posed, adjective un·im·posed, adjective well-im·posed, adjective

Words nearby impose

importee, importunacy, importunate, importune, importunity, impose, impose on, imposing, imposing stone, imposition, impossibility

British Dictionary definitions for imposable

impose

/ (ɪmˈpəʊz) /

verb (usually foll by on or upon)

(tr) to establish as something to be obeyed or complied with; enforce to impose a tax on the people

to force (oneself, one's presence, etc) on another or others; obtrude

(intr) to take advantage, as of a person or quality to impose on someone's kindness

(tr) printing to arrange pages so that after printing and folding the pages will be in the correct order

(tr) to pass off deceptively; foist to impose a hoax on someone

(tr) (of a bishop or priest) to lay (the hands) on the head of a candidate for certain sacraments

Derived forms of impose

imposable, adjective imposer, noun

Word Origin for impose

C15: from Old French imposer, from Latin impōnere to place upon, from pōnere to place, set

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

impose

verb (used with object), im·posed, im·pos·ing.

verb (used without object), im·posed, im·pos·ing.

Verb Phrases

Origin of impose

SYNONYMS FOR impose

OTHER WORDS FROM impose

Words nearby impose

British Dictionary definitions for imposable

verb (usually foll by on or upon)

Derived forms of impose

Word Origin for impose

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

impose

verb (used with object), im·posed, im·pos·ing.

verb (used without object), im·posed, im·pos·ing.

Verb Phrases

Origin of impose

SYNONYMS FOR impose

OTHER WORDS FROM impose

Words nearby impose

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for imposable

verb (usually foll by on or upon)

Derived forms of impose

Word Origin for impose

British Dictionary definitions for imposable