impress
1to 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 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.
to create a favorable impression; draw attention to oneself: a child's behavior intended to impress.
Origin of impress
1Other words for impress
Other words from impress
- im·press·er, noun
Other definitions for impress (2 of 2)
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.
Origin of impress
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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 | THE DAILY BEASTJust 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 | THE DAILY BEASTWeather 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 | THE DAILY BEASTThey 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 | THE DAILY BEASTBut 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. LucasThe 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 RougemontNever once, you see, did I lose an opportunity of impressing the savages among whom I dwelt.
The Adventures of Louis de Rougemont | Louis de RougemontShe 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)
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
the act or an instance of impressing
a mark, imprint, or effect produced by impressing
Origin of impress
1Derived forms of impress
- impresser, noun
- impressible, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for impress (2 of 2)
to commandeer or coerce (men or things) into government service; press-gang
the act of commandeering or coercing into government service; impressment
Origin of impress
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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