# impressive

/ˌɪmˈpɹɛsɪv/ (US) · /ɪmpɹˈɛsɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/impressive
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. admirable or grand

adjective · CEFR B1

making you feel admiration because something is very good, large, or important.

For teachers: evoking admiration through size, quality, or skill. This is the primary modern sense used in general contexts.

- 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.

### 2. capable of being marked

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

able to be pressed or marked by something.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The view from the top of the mountain is truly impressive.
- The young candidate has an impressive resume that includes three internships and fluency in four languages.
- The architect's latest design is an impressive fusion of sustainable technology and classical aesthetics, proving that modern efficiency need not sacrifice visual grandeur.

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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.