ENGLISH
REFERENCE

impress

v. · n.
US //ˈɪmˌpɹɛs// im·press
  1. 1 to make someone admire you (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to make someone feel admiration or respect for you because of your skills or qualities.

    to affect someone strongly and favourably, typically by demonstrating a high level of competence or character.

    Example

    He tried to impress his new boss by arriving early every morning.

    Example

    The young architect managed to impress the panel with her innovative approach to sustainable urban housing.

    Usage

    Often used in the passive voice followed by 'by' or 'with'.
    Pitfall
    I was impressed from his English.
    I was impressed by his English.

    Use the preposition 'by' or 'with' after the passive form 'impressed'.

  2. 2 to emphasize an idea (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    to make someone understand how important something is.

    to fix an idea or fact deeply in the mind; to present something forcibly to someone's attention.

    Example

    My father always tried to impress on me the value of hard work.

    Example

    The safety officer sought to impress upon the staff the absolute necessity of following the new emergency protocols.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the pattern 'impress something on/upon someone'.
Show 3 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 to mark a surface (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    to press a mark or pattern into a surface.

    to produce a mark, image, or indentation by applying physical pressure to a surface.

    Example

    The king used his ring to impress his seal into the hot wax.

    Example

    The ancient artisan would impress intricate geometric patterns into the damp clay before firing the vessel in the kiln.
  2. 4 to force into service (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic

    to force someone to join the army or navy.

    to compel someone into government service, particularly military or naval service, by force.

    Example

    In the past, men were often impressed into the navy against their will.

    Example

    During the Napoleonic Wars, the British navy frequently impressed merchant sailors to maintain their fleet's manpower.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is historical; in modern contexts, use 'conscript' or 'draft' instead.
  3. 5 a physical mark (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary

    a mark made by pressing something onto a surface.

    a mark or indentation produced by pressure; a characteristic stamp or seal.

    Example

    The heavy ring left a deep impress on his finger.

    Example

    The poet noted how the passage of time had left its unmistakable impress upon the ruins of the old city.
Origin

From Middle English impressen, from Latin impressus, perfect passive participle of imprimere (“to press into or upon, stick, stamp, or dig into”), from in (“in, upon”) + premere (“to press”).

Word family

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