# impressionist

/ˌɪmˈpɹɛʃənəst/ (US) · /ɪmpɹˈɛʃənˌɪst/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/impressionist
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a person who paints or draws in a style that focuses on light and color rather than sharp details. You use this to describe artists who make their work look like a quick snapshot of a moment.

For teachers: a painter or artist who employs a style characterized by the use of small, distinct marks of color to simulate the effects of light and movement. Often used to describe the 19th-century French school of painting.

## Examples

- The artist is a famous impressionist who paints landscapes.
- The gallery features several impressionist works that capture the fleeting beauty of a summer afternoon.
- While the realist movement sought to depict subjects with absolute precision, the impressionist movement embraced the subjective experience of the moment, using loose brushstrokes to convey the play 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.