impression
B2Formal and informal. The 'opinion/feeling' meaning is common in all registers. The 'imitation' meaning is common in informal/entertainment contexts. The printing meaning is technical.
Definition
Meaning
An idea, feeling, or opinion about something or someone, formed without conscious thought or on the basis of little evidence.
Also refers to: 1) an imitation of a person or thing, especially done to entertain; 2) a mark or indentation made by pressure; 3) the printing of a number of copies of a publication at one time.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core meaning implies subjectivity and often superficiality. It can be a single instance ('first impression') or a cumulative effect ('general impression').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. The idiom 'do an impression (of)' is slightly more common in BrE.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have/get the impression (that)...be under the impression (that)...give sb the impression (that)...make an impression on sbdo an impression of sbVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “under the impression (that)”
- “do an impression (of somebody)”
- “make a big impression”
- “first impressions are the most lasting”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the perceived image of a company or product ('brand impression', 'market impression').
Academic
Used in psychology and sociology to discuss social perception and cognitive biases.
Everyday
Most commonly used to talk about opinions formed from brief meetings or experiences.
Technical
In dentistry: a mould of teeth. In printing: a single print run.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He was trying to impress the interviewers.
- The grandeur of the cathedral never fails to impress.
American English
- She impressed her boss with her detailed report.
- The coach was impressed by the team's effort.
adverb
British English
- She sang impressively well for a beginner.
- The project was impressively completed ahead of schedule.
American English
- The team worked impressively fast under pressure.
- He was impressively calm during the crisis.
adjective
British English
- His knowledge of the subject was impressive.
- She gave an impressively confident performance.
American English
- The company showed impressive growth this quarter.
- He has an impressive collection of vintage cars.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My first impression of London was that it was very big.
- She made a good impression at her job interview.
- I get the impression he doesn't really want to go.
- The movie gives a false impression of historical events.
- His witty remarks left a lasting impression on everyone present.
- I was under the mistaken impression that the meeting started at 3 pm.
- The artist's work conveys a profound impression of melancholy and isolation.
- Early market impressions suggest the new product will be a success.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PRESS making an IMPRINT. An impression is what is PRESSED into your mind.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A SURFACE (Ideas/feelings are impressions made upon it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "впечатление" in all contexts; for the 'printing' or 'imitation' meaning, use more specific terms like "тираж" or "пародия".
- The phrase "under the impression" is a fixed idiom meaning "to think/believe", not literally located under something.
Common Mistakes
- Using "about" incorrectly: 'My first impression *about* the city' (use 'of').
- Confusing 'impression' with 'expression'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'impression' NOT fit naturally?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Often, but not always. A 'lasting impression' can be formed over time, though the word retains a sense of being a subjective summary rather than a detailed analysis.
An 'impression' is more immediate, intuitive, and often sensory. An 'opinion' is more considered and can be backed by reasoning, though the terms can overlap.
No, 'impression' is only a noun. The related verb is 'impress' (to make someone feel admiration or to have a strong effect on).
It is a fixed phrase followed by a 'that'-clause (which can be omitted) to state a belief, often one that is mistaken. E.g., 'I was under the impression (that) you had left.'
Collections
Part of a collection
Personality Traits
B1 · 36 words · Describing character and personal qualities.