impress
B1Formal to neutral in its positive admiration sense; technical in printing/mechanical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To cause someone to feel admiration or respect, often through skill, quality, or appearance; to make a mark or pattern on something.
To have a strong positive effect on someone's mind or feelings; to emphasize something firmly; to apply pressure to leave a mark; to conscript someone into service (historical/military).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb can be transitive (impress someone) or used in passive (be impressed by). The 'making a mark' sense is more literal and often technical. The 'conscription' sense is archaic/historical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The 'conscript' sense is more common in historical British contexts (e.g., press gangs).
Connotations
Equally positive for the main 'cause admiration' sense in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English in business/personal development contexts (e.g., 'impress the client').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
impress somebody (with something)impress something on/upon somebodybe impressed by/with somebody/somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “impress something on someone's memory/mind”
- “impress someone with one's knowledge”
- “leave/make an impression”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Crucial for client relations and interviews (e.g., 'We need to impress the investors with our data.').
Academic
Used in critiques and analyses (e.g., 'The theory impressed scholars with its elegance.').
Everyday
Common in social and personal contexts (e.g., 'He impressed her parents by cooking dinner.').
Technical
Used in printing/physics (e.g., 'The die impresses a pattern onto the metal.').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The candidate's integrity impressed the hiring panel.
- He tried to impress his date by quoting poetry.
- The teacher impressed upon us the importance of revision.
American English
- Her presentation really impressed the board of directors.
- He impressed his coach with his dedicated workout routine.
- The judge impressed the severity of the crime on the jury.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; use 'impressively'). She sang impressively well.
American English
- (Not standard). He nodded impress, acknowledging the feat.
adjective
British English
- (Not primary; use 'impressive' or 'impressed'). The impressed look on her face was telling.
American English
- (Not primary). He had an impressed whistle after seeing the results.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The fireworks impressed the children.
- I was impressed by your drawing.
- She impressed the interviewers with her confident answers.
- The beauty of the old city impressed us deeply.
- His ability to remain calm under pressure never fails to impress.
- The consultant impressed upon the team the urgent need for change.
- The novel's nuanced characterisation impressed even the most cynical critics.
- They sought to impress their aesthetic philosophy upon the next generation of artists.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a **PRESS**ing a seal into wax to make an IM**PRESS**ion that everyone admires.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPRESSING IS MAKING A MARK ON THE MIND (from the physical act of stamping).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'выражать' ('express'). 'Impress' is about affecting others, not stating your own feelings. The adjective 'impressive' is 'впечатляющий', not 'импрессивный' (a false friend).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'impress' without an object (*'She tried to impress.' -> 'She tried to impress *them*'). Confusing 'impressed by' (agent) and 'impressed with' (thing). Overusing in informal contexts where 'like' or 'wow' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'impress' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Impressed by' often focuses on the agent or person causing the impression (I'm impressed by the chef). 'Impressed with' often focuses on the thing or quality (I'm impressed with the meal). The distinction is subtle and often interchangeable.
Its core meaning is positive (admiration). However, it can be used ironically or in negative constructions (e.g., 'He failed to impress', 'I was not impressed'). The archaic 'conscript' sense is neutral/negative.
It is primarily dynamic (an action you do to someone). In the passive ('be impressed'), it describes a state of feeling, which is stative, so avoid present continuous: 'I am impressed' (not *'I am being impressed').
The main noun is 'impression'. 'Impress' as a noun is rare and usually refers to the act of impressing or a mark made (technical), or a seal of authority (archaic).