Word
impressive
Phoneticsim·pres·sive, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪmˈpɹɛsɪv/
UK/ɪmpɹˈɛsɪv/
Definitions
01admirable or grand
B1 · Intermediate
adj. making you feel admiration because something is very good, large, or important.
adj. evoking admiration through size, quality, or skill. This is the primary modern sense used in general contexts.
日本語:立派※
“The view from the top of the mountain was truly impressive.”
“The candidate's impressive track record in international finance made her the clear choice for the executive position.”
Synonyms
02capable of being marked
C2 · Proficiency Science Technical
adj. able to be pressed or marked by something.
adj. capable of being impressed or receiving a physical mark or stamp. Used primarily in technical or material science contexts.
“The soft clay was very impressive, showing every detail of the leaf.”
“The wax remained impressive for several minutes after heating, allowing the notary to apply the official seal with perfect clarity.”
Usage
In modern English, this physical sense is rare outside of technical descriptions of materials.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “impressive” in context.
Verb
01. find impressive
“I find his dedication to the project very impressive.”
verb + adj
02. impressive in scale
“The construction project is impressive in scale and complexity.”
adj + prep + noun
03. look impressive
“The new headquarters look impressive from the outside.”
verb + adj
Adjective
04. highly impressive
“The young pianist gave a highly impressive performance.”
adv + adj
Noun
05. impressive achievement
“Winning three gold medals is an impressive achievement.”
adj + noun
06. impressive array
“The museum houses an impressive array of ancient artifacts.”
adj + noun
07. impressive display
“The team put on an impressive display of skill during the final.”
adj + noun
08. an impressive feat of
“Building the bridge in six months was an impressive feat of engineering.”
09. an impressive track record
“The company has an impressive track record of innovation in the tech industry.”
10. be particularly impressive
“The team's defensive performance was particularly impressive during the final.”
11. boast an impressive collection
“The library boasts an impressive collection of rare manuscripts.”
12. make an impressive debut
“The teenage striker made an impressive debut for the national team.”
Etymology
impress + -ive
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/impressive
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0