impression

[ im-presh-uhn ]

noun

1. a strong effect produced on the intellect, feelings, conscience, etc.
2. the first and immediate effect of an experience or perception upon the mind; sensation.

   Synonyms: imprint, impact

3. the effect produced by an agency or influence.
4. a notion, remembrance, belief, etc., often of a vague or indistinct nature:

   He had a general impression of lights, voices, and the clinking of silver.

   Synonyms: feeling

5. a mark, indentation, figure, etc., produced by pressure.
6. an image in the mind caused by something external to it.
7. the act of impressing; state of being impressed.
8. Dentistry. a mold taken, in plastic materials or plaster of Paris, of teeth and the surrounding tissues.
9. an imitation of the voice, mannerisms, and other traits of a person, especially a famous person, as by an entertainer:

   The comedian did a hilarious impression of the president.

10. Chiefly Printing.
    1. the process or result of printing from type, plates, etc.
    2. a printed copy from type, a plate, an engraved block, etc.
    3. one of a number of printings made at different times from the same set of type, without alteration ( edition ).
    4. the total number of copies of a book, pamphlet, etc., printed at one time from one setting of type or from one set of plates.
11. Metalworking. a portion of a die having in reverse the intended form of an object to be forged.

impression

/ ɪmˈprɛʃən /

noun

1. an effect produced in the mind by a stimulus; sensation

   he gave the impression of wanting to help

2. an imprint or mark produced by pressing

   he left the impression of his finger in the mud

3. a vague idea, consciousness, or belief

   I had the impression we had met before

4. a strong, favourable, or remarkable effect

   he made an impression on the managers

5. the act of impressing or the state of being impressed
6. printing
   1. the act, process, or result of printing from type, plates, etc
   2. one of a number of printings of a publication printed from the same setting of type with no or few alterations Compare edition
   3. the total number of copies of a publication printed at one time
7. dentistry an imprint of the teeth and gums, esp in wax or plaster, for use in preparing crowns, inlays, or dentures
8. an imitation or impersonation

   he did a funny impression of the politician

Derived Forms

• imˈpressional, adjective
• imˈpressionally, adverb

Other Words From

• im·pression·al adjective
• im·pression·al·ly adverb
• im·pression·less adjective
• preim·pression noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of impression¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English impressio(u)n, from Latin impressiōn-, stem of impressiō; equivalent to impress ¹ + -ion

Idioms and Phrases

see make an impression under the impression .

Example Sentences

We learn about Hartman’s inner world and how he, a master of impressions, struggled to face difficult situations as himself.

From New York Times

Chemotherapy had in fact triggered an autoimmune condition, giving the impression of late-stage cancer.

From BBC

Andrew Norman’s “A Companion Guide to Rome,” nine movements for string trio, each an impression of a church, got a delirious performance by different groupings of Delirium Musicum in the main hall.

From Los Angeles Times

But at this juncture, there was no point in not trying to make a strong impression upon the star target either.

From Los Angeles Times

Worst of all, she habitually dodged questions, offering banal, scripted, unmemorable answers that reinforced the impression that she was weak and lacked the courage of her convictions.

From Salon

Related Words

• belief
• concept
• image
• memory
• notion
• opinion
• perception
• recollection
• sense
• suspicion
• theory
• thought
• view