impress

im-press · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To affect someone strongly, especially favorably; to make someone feel admiration.

  2. 2.

    To press or stamp a mark into something.

  3. 3.

    To emphasize or make clear to someone.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    impress upon — To emphasize something strongly to someone.
  • •
    hard to impress — Difficult to affect or please.

Related words

Antonyms: bore, disappoint, underwhelm
See also: amazed, impression, impressive
Synonyms: amaze, astound, wow

Etymology

From Latin imprimere ("to press into"), from in- ("in, into") + premere ("to press"). The sense of "affect strongly" developed from the idea of making a mental mark or impression.