impressim‧press /ɪmˈpres/ ●●○ S3 W3 verb [transitive] 
Steve borrowed his dad’s sports car to impress his girlfriend.impress somebody with/by something We were very impressed by the standard of work. One candidate in particular impressed us with her knowledge. I think the chief exec was favourably impressed by your presentation. ‘He’s a lawyer?’ Mum looked suitably impressed (=as impressed as you would expect).2to make the importance of something clear to someoneimpress something on somebody Father impressed on me the value of hard work.3to press something into a soft surface so that a mark or pattern appears on it: patterns impressed in the clay
WORD ORIGINimpress
Origin:
1300-1400 Latin past participle of imprimere, from premere ‘to press’VERB TABLE
impress
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | impress |
| he, she, it | impresses | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | impressed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have impressed |
| he, she, it | has impressed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had impressed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will impress |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have impressed |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- He always impressed us as being very bright.
- None of the people I've interviewed so far have impressed me.
- Quinnell's fifty-yard run down the touchline with the ball in one hand impressed the Wales coach.
- The boy has impressed his doctors with his courage and determination.
- What impressed the judges most was the originality of the dancers' performance.
- You don't need to make fancy foods to impress guests - something simple but good will do.
- A steady paycheck also impresses serious people when you want to buy a house or own a car-or even make a trip.
- As a very small girl, I was impressed by the story a nun told to our catechism class.
- But this may serve to impress you with my determination.
- I had managed to swipe a ball for myself and was attempting to impress anyone who cared to watch.
- I have to tell you, I was impressed with Marty.
- It is always wise to look towards those who inspire and impress you.
- It surprised me and impressed me when that happened.
- The report of my hon. and noble Friend Lady Cumberlege has clearly impressed my hon. Friend.
Longman Language Activatorto impress someone
if someone or something impresses you, they are so interesting, intelligent, original etc that you like or admire them very much: · None of the people I've interviewed so far have impressed me.· Quinnell's fifty-yard run down the touchline with the ball in one hand impressed the Wales coach.· What impressed the judges most was the originality of the dancers' performance.impress with: · The boy has impressed his doctors with his courage and determination.
to make someone admire you the first time they see you, so that they like you or approve of you: · When you go for a job interview, you have just a few minutes to make an impression.· Rick looked at the pretty salesgirl and smiled. Sandy could tell that he wanted to make an impression.make an impression on: · George, with his dark hair and blue eyes, made an impression on almost everyone he met.
to make someone admire or like you the first time they see you, for example by dressing or behaving in an impressive way: · Everyone was dressed in their best clothes, eager to make a good impression.make a good impression on/with: · It's pretty important around here to make a good impression with the boss.
to impress the people who are watching or listening to you by seeming intelligent, confident, skilful etc: · It was her first time on TV, but she came across very well.· I thought the play was rather long and slow, and the jokes didn't really come over well.
to impress someone very much to impress someone very much by being or doing something very exciting and unusual - used especially in news reports: · The Princess's off-the-shoulder dress dazzled the waiting crowds.· As a speaker he would dazzle listeners with his brilliant wordplay and witty remarks.
informal to impress someone very much by doing something in a way that is surprisingly good: · If this performer doesn't knock the audience out, I don't know what would.really knock somebody out: · Why don't you start the gig with that song you wrote yourself? That'll really knock them out.
to feel impressed · It was a superb performance -- even the critics were impressed.be impressed by/with · All of Lucy's teachers said that they were impressed with her progress.· I was greatly impressed by the beauty of their art and the richness of their culture.be impressed (that) · I'm impressed to hear that you're learning Chinese.be favourably impressedBritish be favorably impressed American (=be impressed and pleased) · UN observers said that they were very favorably impressed by the fairness of the elections.be suitably/duly impressed (=be as impressed as someone wants you to be) · The Director read through my report, and looked suitably impressed.
to be so impressed by a place, an occasion, or a person that you become nervous: · When I first arrived in New York, I was completely overawed.be overawed by something/somebody: · Although Sheila's parents tried to put Jim at his ease, he still felt overawed by them.
words for describing someone or something that impresses you · The rich variety of animal life we found was very impressive.· Alan Howard has been impressive in "Henry IV' at the National Theatre.· You can visit the desert as part of an impressive 5-day excursion out of the city.· He gave an impressive performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No 3.
a building or part of a building that is imposing is big and impressive: · An imposing staircase led out of the hall.· The show took place outside the imposing Central Library building on Fifth Avenue.· It's one of the most distinguished hotels in Italy, grand and imposing.
impressive, especially because of being extremely skilfully done, having an unusually beautiful appearance etc - used especially in news reports: · During his short but dazzling career he broke almost every scoring record in the National League.· She looked dazzling, with her long blonde hair and diamond earrings.
impressive, especially because of being very unusual to look at: · From the outside, the most striking aspect of the building is its tall, slender tower.· It's a tall plant with striking red flowers in early spring.· The face in the photograph was striking - good-looking and vivacious.
so big and impressive that you feel slightly nervous: · The pyramids at dawn were an awe-inspiring sight.· The canyon was so awe-inspiring that even Dan was speechless.
very impressive and exciting, especially as a result of great speed, size, or beauty: · The bank's new on-line service is still growing at a breathtaking pace.· The drive along the beach and up the mountain is truly breathtaking.· The guest house was on the side of the cliff, with breathtaking views of the ocean below.
made or done in order to impress people: · The conferences always take place in grand hotels, away from the realities of life.· They always make grand promises to the biggest group of voters.
very impressive because of being very big and beautiful: · the majestic mountains of the Himalayas· Tintern Abbey is noted for its majestic arches, fine doorways and elegant windows.
something such as a view or a performance that is spectacular is very impressive and exciting to look at or watch: · The campground in Emerald Bay State Park has a spectacular setting.· To celebrate independence day, there was a spectacular fireworks display.
to not impress someone · OK, so he went to Yale! That doesn't impress me!· The defence evidence didn't impress the judge, and he sentenced Wright to 3 years in jail.· I tried making a joke but it failed to impress anyone.
not good enough to impress anyone: · Marie's performance in the last exam was unimpressive.· When you think how much has been spent on research, the results are sadly unimpressive.· The best the team could come up with was an unimpressive 1-1 tie.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY I think the chief exec was favourably impressed by your presentation. ‘He’s a lawyer?’ Mum looked suitably impressed (=as impressed as you would expect).COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES ‘He owns three hotels.’ The others looked suitably impressed.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
I think the chief exec was favourably impressed by your presentation. ‘He’s a lawyer?’ Mum looked suitably impressed (=as impressed as you would expect). ‘He owns three hotels.’ The others looked suitably impressed.· I was also impressed early in our interview by his clarity about whom he turns to for support.· They say she was also impressed with his ability to work with others.· A comparatively new variety, Bandit, also impressed with yielding ability.· A steady paycheck also impresses serious people when you want to buy a house or own a car-or even make a trip.· Several videos on less obvious techniques have also impressed me this year.· There was a second story which also impressed Danny Ballow.· The Corrado also impresses in its rear passenger-space.· Yet he was also impressed: perhaps because the staging was so effective.
· He was always impressed by the striking resemblance between his Uncle Julian and his father.· Second, I was always impressed by my two uncles and grandfather, three small-town lawyers.· Dealers' young girlfriends were always impressed by a visit to Hard Rock Cafe.· She also gets to cry twice -- once uncontrollably and the other sentimentally -- which always impresses the voters.· She was always impressed by his fame and would have liked a theatrical career.· He has always impressed me as a man of great good humour, and with a wonderful fund of stories.· Simulators can provide demonstrations which always impress visitors.
· He was right; he was better than the other skier she'd been so impressed by.· Functioning as a biologist, he became vividly aware of, and impressed by, the interaction of mollusks with their environment.· That a young boy of none too comfortable means would be impressed by all this worldly expertise is not difficult to imagine.
· Throughout his life he was deeply impressed by writers and scholars.· The simple fact that his motorcade stops at red traffic lights has deeply impressed Ankara residents.· I had been deeply impressed by a number of experiences in my life.
· Husky rugged machine had been demonstrated, and had favourably impressed all who were present.· Diana was favourably impressed when she met Koo during her romance with Andrew.
· I was greatly impressed by the high level of commitment to the achievement of success by everyone that I met.· He had greatly impressed us by sucking out raw eggs and swinging dangerously from the barn rafters.· All those around were greatly impressed by the power of acupuncture.· This correction greatly impressed Master Wills.· Wine scientists were not greatly impressed with the new results, however.· Royal Ideology Gregory was not greatly impressed by most of the sons and grandsons of Clovis, but there were exceptions.
· That done, they were less impressed than ever.· The critics were less impressed by the dances.
· What impresses more about this Nissan is its handling ability.· Cooley does not deny it although readers may read him as more impressed by the struggles and disappointments.· However, I was even more impressed by your reply.· Peter Moores impresses more with bat and gloves every time I clap eyes on him.· Older people were much more impressed by politicians' energy than were younger people.· The proletariat was hardly more impressed by the Manifesto.
· What impressed most was how useable this near 30-year-old car feels, and how quickly it inspires confidence.· Mme Bluot was most impressed when she heard Didier enter the shop, prattling in a language she did not understand.· I was most impressed by the beauty and elegance of all of them, but was especially fascinated by the Ingram family.· I was most impressed by their apparent concern for the individual and his or her rights.· They are intrigued by the process, interested in the machinery and most impressed by the skills of the people.
· When I reported to the station manager, Jack Radford, that first morning I was much impressed.· Nor was he much impressed by Amber Epipheny.
· But he is particularly impressed by the power of the system in respect of the cataloguing operation.· He said he was particularly impressed that the Hubble pictures are organized by year and that each image has a caption.· Agents themselves are not particularly impressed by brands, unless specifically told by the user to prefer some brands to others.· The jury were particularly impressed by the amount of space that the Independent devoted to the exhibition.· I was particularly impressed by the art room.
· What really impresses me about players is having a unique sound, whether it's fast or slow.· That really impressed them that I was interested in knowing who they were as individuals, and I was.· He showed a selection of film clips and I was really impressed.· Subjectively it feels every bit as fast as its maker claims, but what really impresses is the torque.
· Within a few years the increased prosperity of the yard had so impressed John Shuttleworth that he turned the business over to him.· Muriel was so proud and so impressed, she never forgot it.· Quite why females should be so impressed by plumes, iridescent colours and whirling displays is an interesting question.· So impressed by what they saw, company officials invited Fitzgerald to Atlanta to learn more about the Scofield product.· Milton ward Tories were so impressed by his la-de-da-accent and gold-plated walking stick that they made him social secretary.· That old geezer was so impressed that he offered me a job on the spot.· Shell bosses were so impressed with his skill that they offered to supply his lubricants and clothing for five years.· C., was so impressed with the way Bush and Gen.
· Up in the Milburn Stand, sampling his first taste of football spectating, eight-year-old Turnbull Junior wasn't very impressed either.· Catarina was very impressed and kept grabbing his hand all through dinner.· She said she was very impressed by staffing levels at the hospital and that even a local surgery had computer equipment.· I was very impressed with his clever retort.· When I was looking through the catalogues for what to buy I was very impressed with some of the newer books.· The grown-up animals aren't very impressed by his whistling, but the young ones are.· Claudia was very impressed by the friendly reception she received.· We were very impressed with the noise suppression on this planer, as most planers tend to be as noisy as routers.
NOUN· She wondered if there was the faintest chance of impressing them with the significance of her position.· Durham are missing a chance to impress in an area where cricket remains primitive.
· Clearly writers like Kant and Ritchie are impressed by this fact.· The Court was impressed by the fact that this religion-based, self-sufficient community has existed successfully for over two hundred years.
· The report of my hon. and noble Friend Lady Cumberlege has clearly impressed my hon. Friend.· I think we bought it to impress our friends and show our parents we were adults.· She took up the pastime after impressing friends and family when she made an engagement cake for her brother-in-law.· Not to gain extra marks in the test and certainly not to impress your friends!· Thanks for the tip, Daniel, we're sure our readers will enjoy impressing their friends with this useful shortcut.
· Then those companies which impressed the judges will be justifiably lauded for their efforts.
· Paul's verdict: I was impressed by both the performance and flexibility of these trousers.· I tested the Osprey overtrousers for four months during the winter and was very impressed with their performance.· The student audience were impressed by his performance, though not necessarily with his argument.
· I visited the Djanogly college and was impressed with the quality of education offered to so many young people.· We were impressed by the build quality of the micro adjustable guide.· Scanning the interior, I was impressed by the high quality of the trim and dash.· Those that entered, found the competition tough and the judging committee were impressed with the quality of the presentations made.
VERB· De Boer has failed to impress since his arrival from Barcelona, but his presence here gave Rangers lustre.· Maybe he was about to fail to impress his new boss.· True, there were packets of walnut bits too, but they failed to impress themselves on me.· The Avalanche Ale is a perfectly serviceable beer, full-bodied and tasty, but the others failed to impress.· His centrist, compromising instincts, embodied in the New Democrat covenant, alienated core constituencies while failing to impress opponents.· Melanie Griffith as Tess failed to impress me.· His appearance, that first term, failed to impress everyone as it failed to impress the Master of his college.
· John MacCulloch, M.D., who was a geologist, did visit Islay but does not seem to have been impressed.· They were looking at the flags, but they did not seem all that impressed.· But these days Hazel seemed sufficiently impressed by him anyway, whatever he did.· She seemed impressed by his efforts.· Firebug seemed impressed, turning the packages over and over, a couple of fingers in his mouth.
· It is easy to dismiss them as the strategic outpourings of a new recruit trying to impress the party machine.· Such answers I can not provide: nor can anyone else, though some may try to impress us with their guesses.· Who was he trying to impress?· They treated me like a manager; they tried to impress me.· I just hope he doesn't try too hard to impress.· The trainee had tried to impress the trader and failed.· I felt they were both trying to impress on me that they were my friends and were going to look after me.· Puncturing the three blisters received while trying to impress fellow teacup riders with spin speed, get in line for Matterhorn.
· Naturally, he wanted to impress his colleagues, set up a little frisson, as he'd have put it.· As a teenager in love, I want to impress Maureen Dowd with my cleverness.· You now know who it is you want to impress.· If you want to dress to impress this year, stick to a gender, because androgyny is a drag in 1997.· I want them to be impressed by what they see.· She had no right to chatter about the secrets I had confided, but she wanted to impress my brother.· This is what I want to impress on her.· The one even Cantor wants to impress?
WORD FAMILYnounimpressionimpressionismimpressionistimpressivenessadjectiveimpressionableimpressive ≠ unimpressiveimpressionisticunimpressedadverbimpressivelyimpressionisticallyverbimpress
1[not in progressive] to make someone feel admiration and respect: Steve borrowed his dad’s sports car to impress his girlfriend.impress somebody with/by something We were very impressed by the standard of work. One candidate in particular impressed us with her knowledge. I think the chief exec was favourably impressed by your presentation. ‘He’s a lawyer?’ Mum looked suitably impressed (=as impressed as you would expect).2to make the importance of something clear to someoneimpress something on somebody Father impressed on me the value of hard work.3to press something into a soft surface so that a mark or pattern appears on it: patterns impressed in the clay