What does impression mean?
An impression is an opinion, judgment, or mental effect produced by someone or something. Saying that a person 'makes an impression' means that their appearance, behavior, or ability affects others, often positively; saying that one 'has an impression' means that one believes or vaguely feels something to be the case. The word can also refer to a physical mark made by pressing an object into a surface. In older and more literary usage, an impression may be a resemblance or outward appearance suggesting that something is present. As a verb, 'impress' means to evoke admiration or respect, while it can also mean to form a particular opinion about something. The word is useful because it covers both the act of influencing others and the resulting beliefs or feelings, as well as more specific senses involving marks and appearances.
An opinion, belief, or feeling about someone or something; the effect produced on the mind; or a mark made by pressing into a surface.
"The candidate made a favorable impression on the hiring panel."
The sense 'opinion or belief' is especially common in expressions such as 'I have the impression that...' The physical-mark sense is less frequent and is now somewhat literary or specialized.
To make someone feel admiration or respect, or to form a strong opinion about someone or something.
"Her knowledge of the subject impressed the entire committee."
When it means to evoke admiration, the verb usually takes a person, audience, or group as its object. The less common sense 'to form an opinion' is usually followed by an infinitive or a clause.
The plural is used for individual opinions, effects, or physical marks.
"Her first impressions of the city were entirely positive."
Sometimes the lasting mark on a page is called an impression, and sometimes the lasting mark on a person is called an impression too.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does impression come from?
The noun comes from Latin impressio, meaning 'a pressing into' or 'an impression,' from premere, 'to press.' English borrowed the word in the 16th century for both physical marks and the mental effects produced by an experience. The verb 'impress' developed from the same Latin root and initially referred to pressing a mark onto a surface before extending to the idea of affecting someone's mind. Related English words such as 'imprint,' 'compress,' and 'suppress' continue to reflect this shared ancestry.
Related word forms
How impression is actually used
As a noun, 'impression' commonly means either a personal opinion or the effect produced by an experience. As a verb, 'impress' usually takes a person or audience as its object and means to make that person feel admiration; it is more common in formal and professional contexts than in casual conversation.
Easily confused with impression
An impression is an effect or opinion produced by something, whereas impressionism is an artistic movement concerned with capturing immediate visual impressions.
An impression can be a mental effect or opinion, while an imprint is a physical mark or a lasting identifying influence.