What does impressed mean?
Impressed most often describes someone who feels or displays strong admiration, surprise, or approval in response to a person, achievement, place, or performance. It is commonly followed by "with" when the cause is named directly, as in "she was impressed with the design," or by "by," as in "he was impressed by the speaker's confidence." The adjective can also describe evidence of this reaction, as in "an impressed audience." Although the word can convey ordinary approval, it is often more emphatic than simply liking something and may suggest wonder or even awe. In a less common, more literal or historical sense, "impressed" means marked or formed by pressure, as when a design is impressed into metal. The word ultimately derives from the Latin sense of pressing into or upon, linking modern admiration with the older idea of making an impression.
Feeling or showing strong admiration, surprise, or approval for someone or something.
"The crowd was impressed by the young pianist's performance."
The preposition "by" is especially common in the active sense; "with" is also widely used, particularly in American English.
To make someone feel admiration or approval, or to make a strong impression on someone.
"Her innovation impressed even her harshest critics."
This verb is often used in the passive construction "be impressed with" or "be impressed by."
To press a mark or design into a surface.
"The maker impressed a floral pattern into the metal tray."
This is a relatively uncommon, literal sense and is more typical of specialist or historical writing than everyday speech.
Being impressed originally meant having an impression pressed into a surface; admiration was only one of the word's later metaphorical meanings.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does impressed come from?
Impressed comes from the English verb impress, which was borrowed from Latin imprimere, meaning "to press into" or "to press upon." The adjective developed through the older noun impression, denoting a mark or effect produced by pressing. By the early modern period, the word had acquired figurative meanings involving influence, strong feeling, and admiration, which eventually became the dominant modern senses.
How impressed is actually used
In its most common modern use, the word expresses admiration or approval. The passive sense, as in "the name was impressed into the surface," is more formal and less frequent in everyday speech.