First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1impress
verb im·press \im-ˈpres\
Definition of IMPRESS
transitive verb
1
a : to apply with pressure so as to imprint b : to produce (as a mark) by pressure c : to mark by or as if by pressure or stamping
2
a : to produce a vivid impression of b : to affect especially forcibly or deeply : gain the admiration or interest of <her honesty impressed us>
intransitive verb
: to produce an impression
— im·press·ibil·i·ty \-ˌpre-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— im·press·ible \-ˈpre-sə-bəl\ adjective
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Origin of IMPRESS
Middle English, from Latin impressus, past participle of imprimere, from in- + premere to press — more at press
Synonym Discussion of IMPRESS
affect, influence, touch, impress, strike, sway mean to produce or have an effect upon. affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction <the sight affected her to tears>. influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior) <our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing>. touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming <plants touched by frost> <his emotions were touched by her distress>. impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect <only one of the plans impressed him>. strike, similar to but weaker than impress, may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation <struck by the solemnity of the occasion>. sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action <politicians who are swayed by popular opinion>.
Rhymes with IMPRESS
abscess, access, address, aggress, assess, bench-press, caress, clothespress, coatdress, cold-press, compress, confess, cross-dress, CS, depress, de-stress, digress, distress, drill press, egress, excess, express, finesse, fluoresce, French press, full-dress, handpress, headdress, housedress, idlesse, ingress, Meknes, much less, nightdress, noblesse, no less, obsess, oppress, outguess, possess, precess, prestress, princess, process, profess, progress, recess, redress, regress, re-press, repress, shirtdress, side-dress, SS, success, sundress, suppress, tendresse, top-dress, transgress, undress, unless, web press, winepress, word stress
2impress
noun im·press \ˈim-ˌpres also im-ˈ\
Definition of IMPRESS
1
: a characteristic or distinctive mark : stamp <the impress of a fresh and vital intelligence is stamped … in his work — Lytton Strachey>
2
: impression, effect <have an impress on history>
3
: the act of impressing
4
First Known Use of IMPRESS
1590
3impress
verb im·press \im-ˈpres\
Definition of IMPRESS
transitive verb
1
: to levy or take by force for public service; especially : to force into naval service
2
a : to procure or enlist by forcible persuasion b : force <impressed him into a white coat for the Christmas festivities — Nancy Hale>
Origin of IMPRESS
2in- + 3press
First Known Use: 1596
4impress
noun im·press \ˈim-ˌpres also im-ˈ\
IMPRESSING Defined for Kids
impress
verb im·press \im-ˈpres\
im·pressedim·press·ing
Definition of IMPRESS for Kids
1
: to produce by stamping, pressing, or printing <impress a design>
2
: to affect strongly or deeply and especially favorably <Her talent impressed me.>
3
: to give a clear idea of <She impressed on us her concerns.>
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