WordGarden.ioimpress
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪmprˈɛs/
US
- /ˈɪmˌprɛs/
Meanings
Verb
to make someone admire or respect someone or something
to make a strong effect on someone's mind or feelings
to press a mark, pattern, or design into a surface
More meaningsFewer meanings
to make an idea, fact, or need clear and memorable to someone
Beyond the definition
To impress someone is to make them notice and admire you, your skills, or what you have done. You might try to impress a potential employer with your experience, or surprise a friend with a hidden talent. It often means creating a strong, positive feeling that stays in someone's mind. A magician wants to impress the audience with amazing tricks, and a chef hopes to impress diners with wonderful food. But trying too hard can backfire, because people usually like honesty more than showing off.
The word "impress" carries a weight of influence and impact. At its core, it means to make a strong or favorable mark on someone's mind or feelings. It's not just about being noticed; it's about evoking admiration, respect, or even awe.
You can impress someone with your abilities—for example, "Her piano playing impressed the judges." Or you might impress upon them the importance of something: "The teacher impressed upon the students the need to study." This second usage means to strongly emphasize or fix a point in someone's mind.
Context is key. While impressing someone often involves intentional effort, it can also happen unintentionally. A simple act of kindness or an unexpected display of talent can leave a lasting impression. However, be mindful that trying too hard to impress can sometimes come across as insincere. People generally value genuineness over grand gestures.
Historically, "impress" had a darker meaning—to "impress" someone into service meant to forcibly recruit sailors for the navy! Thankfully, today the word is more often associated with positive achievements and making a meaningful impact on others.
So, whether you're aiming to wow someone with your skills, emphasize an important message, or simply leave a memorable mark, to impress is to create a lasting effect—a feeling, a thought, or a strong opinion—in another person's mind.
Examples
- 1
Job interview
Her calm confidence impressed the interview panel.
- 2
Teamwork
I was impressed by how well the team worked together.
- 3
Showing off
He's always trying to impress people with expensive gadgets.
- Patternimpress someone with + thing
make someone admire you by showing that thing
- 4
Hospitality
The hotel lobby is designed to impress from the moment you walk in.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Client meeting
She dressed to impress for the client meeting.
- Phrasedress to impress
wear clothes that make a strong good impression
- 6
Social reaction
No one was impressed when he started talking over everyone else.
- Phrasenot be impressed
think something is not good or not admirable
- 7
Coaching
The coach tried to impress on the players that every point mattered.
- Patternimpress on someone that...
make someone understand something strongly
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- disappoint
- underwhelm
Used with (collocations)
- impress someone with
- be impressed by
- try to impress
- easily impressed
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- impressnounverb
Forms
- impressedpast tenseverbnoun
- impressing-ing formverbnoun
- impressespluralnounverb