English Reference

Word

impactful

Phoneticsim·pact·ful

Definition

adj. having a strong effect on someone or something. You use this to describe a person, event, or action that makes a big difference.

adj. having a significant or lasting effect on a person, situation, or system. Often used to describe the influence of a specific action or the quality of a professional's work.

Examples

“The new manager has an impactful leadership style.”

“The documentary had an impactful effect on the public's opinion regarding climate change.”

“While the initial results were promising, the long-term impact of the policy remains to be seen as the economy continues to adjust to the new regulations.”

Examples

simple

“The new manager has an impactful leadership style.”

contextual

“The documentary had an impactful effect on the public's opinion regarding climate change.”

complex

“While the initial results were promising, the long-term impact of the policy remains to be seen as the economy continues to adjust to the new regulations.”

Real-World Examples

“When volunteers engage in citizen science projects, they learn that science can be both impactful and fun.”
Phys.org · 15 Sept 2026
“He said: "The ones you hear about often can be the really big ones, but some of most impactful ones are the smaller everyday ones".”
BBC News · 15 Sept 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/impactful

English Reference