impress

[ verb im-pres; noun im-pres ]

/ verb ɪmˈprɛs; noun ˈɪm prɛs /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR impress 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.

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

SYNONYMS FOR impress

1 move, sway, disturb; persuade.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR impress ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM impress

im·press·er, noun

Words nearby impress

impregnable, impregnate, impresa, impresario, imprescriptible, impress, impressible, impression, impressionable, impressionism, impressionist

Definition for impressed (2 of 2)

impress ²

[ 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

Example sentences from the Web for impressed

He was so impressed by the socks that he invited me through my client to come and visit him.

The Hot Designer Who Hates Fashion: VK Nagrani Triumphs His Own Way |Tom Teodorczuk |December 1, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Though this did nothing to help impart knowledge to his charges, some were impressed anyway by his command of the subject.

Stonewall Jackson, VMI’s Most Embattled Professor |S. C. Gwynne |November 29, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Catherine Lemay is impressed by neither the myth nor the reality when she arrives in Montana in the summer of 1956.

The Golden West Up for Grabs: ‘Painted Horses’ Is the Next Great Western Novel |Wendy Smith |November 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
But I was impressed by the fact that it had never really been forgotten.

Greil Marcus Talks About Trying to Unlock Rock and Roll in 10 Songs |Allen Barra |November 17, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

I was impressed by how many young and old people are in the profession.

The Real-Life Raiders of the Lost Ark |Alex Belth |November 14, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Zura seemed more amused by Jane's manner and the funny twist in her tongue than impressed by her description.

The House of the Misty Star |Fannie Caldwell Macaulay
Her detachment had impressed Chief Inspector Heat all along.

The Secret Agent |Joseph Conrad
The laugh was quickly hushed, but the new guest had heard it, though no other sound seemed to have impressed him.

The Wishing Moon |Louise Elizabeth Dutton
The General was impressed with the view, but he was getting used to grand scenes in Switzerland; they are everywhere.

Twenty Years in Europe |Samuel H. M. Byers
Surely Mother must have been impressed with this new and astonishing length of arm.

A Melody in Silver |Keene Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for impressed (1 of 2)

impress ¹

verb (ɪmˈprɛs) (tr)

to make an impression on; have a strong, lasting, or favourable effect on I 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; emphasize to 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, noun impressible, adjective

Word Origin for impress

C14: from Latin imprimere to press into, imprint, from premere to press 1

British Dictionary definitions for impressed (2 of 2)

impress ²

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

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

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

Origin of impress

SYNONYMS FOR impress

OTHER WORDS FROM impress

Words nearby impress

Definition for impressed (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 impressed

British Dictionary definitions for impressed (1 of 2)

verb (ɪmˈprɛs) (tr)

noun (ˈɪmprɛs)

Derived forms of impress

Word Origin for impress

British Dictionary definitions for impressed (2 of 2)

verb (ɪmˈprɛs)

noun (ˈɪmprɛs)

Word Origin for impress

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

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

Origin of impress

SYNONYMS FOR impress

OTHER WORDS FROM impress

Words nearby impress

Definition for impressed (2 of 2)

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

noun

Origin of impress

Words related to impressed

Example sentences from the Web for impressed

British Dictionary definitions for impressed (1 of 2)

verb (ɪmˈprɛs) (tr)

noun (ˈɪmprɛs)

Derived forms of impress

Word Origin for impress

British Dictionary definitions for impressed (2 of 2)

verb (ɪmˈprɛs)

noun (ˈɪmprɛs)

Word Origin for impress