# impress

/ˈɪmˌpɹɛs/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/impress
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to make someone admire you

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

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

### 2. to emphasize an idea

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to make someone understand how important something is.

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

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

### 3. to mark a surface

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to press a mark or pattern into a surface.

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

- The king used his ring to impress his seal into the hot wax.
- The ancient artisan would impress intricate geometric patterns into the damp clay before firing the vessel in the kiln.

### 4. to force into service

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic

to force someone to join the army or navy.

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

- In the past, men were often impressed into the navy against their will.
- During the Napoleonic Wars, the British navy frequently impressed merchant sailors to maintain their fleet's manpower.

Teaching tip: This sense is historical; in modern contexts, use 'conscript' or 'draft' instead.

### 5. a physical mark

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

a mark made by pressing something onto a surface.

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

- The heavy ring left a deep impress on his finger.
- The poet noted how the passage of time had left its unmistakable impress upon the ruins of the old city.

## Examples

- I want to impress my new boss today.
- She worked late every night this week to impress the management team before the big promotion.
- While technical skills are necessary to secure an interview, candidates often impress recruiters more through their ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and confidence.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.