impress

pronunciation

How to pronounce impress in British English: UK [ɪmˈpres]word uk audio image

How to pronounce impress in American English: US [ɪmˈpres] word us audio image

  • Noun:
    the act of coercing someone into government service
  • Verb:
    have an emotional or cognitive impact upon
    impress positively
    produce or try to produce a vivid impression of
    mark or stamp with or as if with pressure
    reproduce by printing
    take (someone) against his will for compulsory service, especially on board a ship
    dye (fabric) before it is spun

Word Origin

impress
impress: see press
impress (v.)
late 14c., "have a strong effect on the mind or heart," from Latin impressus, past participle of imprimere "press into or upon, stamp," from assimilated form of in- "into, in, on, upon" (see in- (2)) + premere "to press" (see press (v.1)). Literal sense of "to apply with pressure, make a permanent image in, indent, imprint" is from early 15c. in English. Sense of "to levy for military service" is from 1590s, a meaning more from press (v.2). Related: Impressed; impressing.
impress (n.)
"act of impressing," also "characteristic mark," 1590s, from impress (v.).

Example

1. Not sure how to impress that big prospective client ?
2. There is no better way to impress your mom !
3. Quarterly results impress the stockmarket ; little else does .
4. His purpose is to impress .
5. This plan would not impress most developing countries .

more: >How to Use "impress" with Example Sentences