impress

¹

[im-pres, im-pres]

verb (used with object)

impressed , imprest, impressing .

1. to affect deeply or strongly in mind or feelings; influence in opinion.

   He impressed us as a sincere young man.

   Synonyms: sway, persuade, move, inspire, touch, stir, affect

2. to fix deeply or firmly on the mind or memory, as ideas or facts.

   to impress the importance of honesty on a child.

3. to urge, as something to be remembered or done.

   She impressed the need for action on them.

4. to press (a thing) into or on something.

5. to impose a particular characteristic or quality upon (something).

   The painter impressed his love of garish colors upon the landscape.

6. to produce (a mark, figure, etc.) by pressure; stamp; imprint.

   The king impressed his seal on the melted wax.

7. to apply with pressure, so as to leave a mark.

8. to subject to or mark by pressure with something.

9. to furnish with a mark, figure, etc., by or as if by stamping.

10. Electricity.,  to produce (a voltage) or cause (a voltage) to appear or be produced on a conductor, circuit, etc.

verb (used without object)

impressed , imprest, impressing .

1. to create a favorable impression; draw attention to oneself.

   a child's behavior intended to impress.

noun

1. the act of impressing.

2. a mark made by or as by pressure; stamp; imprint.

3. a distinctive character or effect imparted.

   writings that bear the impress of a strong personality.

impress

²

[im-pres, im-pres]

verb (used with object)

impressed , imprest, impressing .

1. to press or force into public service, as sailors.

2. to seize or take for public use.

3. to take or persuade into service by forceful arguments.

   The neighbors were impressed into helping the family move.

noun

1. impressment.

impress

¹

verb

1. to make an impression on; have a strong, lasting, or favourable effect on

   I am impressed by your work

2. to produce (an imprint, etc) by pressure in or on (something)

   to impress a seal in wax

   to impress wax with a seal

3. (often foll by on) to stress (something to a person); urge; emphasize

   to impress the danger of a situation on someone

4. to exert pressure on; press

5. electronics to apply (a voltage) to a circuit or device

noun

1. the act or an instance of impressing

2. a mark, imprint, or effect produced by impressing

impress

²

verb

1. to commandeer or coerce (men or things) into government service; press-gang

noun

1. the act of commandeering or coercing into government service; impressment

Other Word Forms

• impresser noun
• impressible adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of impress¹

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”; im- ¹, press ¹, print

Origin of impress²

First recorded in 1590–1600; im- ¹ + press ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of impress¹

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

Origin of impress²

C16: see im- _in- ², _press ²

Example Sentences

Others, understanding how tricky it is to be truly smart in a world full of phony intellectuals and career posers, would be appropriately impressed.

From Salon

She impressed on me that I couldn’t live at the Y anymore.

From Los Angeles Times

Hank Johnson, who represents a district in Georgia, said Farage was "a fringe party leader" who was "here today to impress all of those tech bros".

From BBC

Durkan said he was "impressed" by the resources Daera has invested in the public information event and felt better after talking to the experts.

From BBC

The Belgian impresses when looking at the data, but it is important to assess his strengths and weaknesses holistically.

From BBC

Related Words

• affect 
• awe 
• excite 
• faze 
• inspire 
• sway 
• thrill 
• touch