# impression

/ˌɪmˈpɹɛʃən/ (US) · /ɪmpɹˈɛʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/impression
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 3. physical mark

noun · CEFR B2

a mark made by pressing something onto a surface.

For teachers: a physical indentation or depression produced by the pressure of one object on or into another.

- The heavy boots left a deep impression in the soft mud of the garden.
- The forensic team carefully took a plaster cast of the boot impression found near the broken window.

### 4. vague memory

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling that something is true or a vague memory of something, even if you are not sure.

For teachers: a vague or indistinct notion, belief, or recollection of an event.

- I have the impression that we have met somewhere before, but I cannot remember where.
- The witness had the distinct impression that a second vehicle was involved, though she could not provide a specific description.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'under the impression'.

### 5. digital ad view

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

an instance of an advertisement or a post being shown on a screen.

For teachers: a metric representing a single instance of a digital advertisement or content being displayed to a user.

- The social media post reached over ten thousand impressions in just one hour.
- While the campaign generated a high number of impressions, the actual click-through rate remained disappointingly low.

Usage: Usually plural in marketing contexts.

Teaching tip: Distinguish this from 'reach', which counts unique users rather than total views.

### 6. printing run

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

all the copies of a book printed at one time.

For teachers: a set of copies of a publication printed at one time from the same type or plates.

- The first impression of the novel sold out within days of its release.
- Bibliophiles often distinguish between the first and second impressions of a first edition based on minor typographical corrections.

Teaching tip: In modern publishing, 'printing' is more common than 'impression' for general learners.

## Examples

- My first impression of the new manager was very positive.
- The candidate tried to make a good impression by arriving early and dressing professionally for the interview.
- While the initial impression of the painting is one of chaos, a closer inspection reveals a highly structured composition and a deliberate use of light.

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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.