impressionist

noun

im·​pres·​sion·​ist im-ˈpre-sh(ə-)nist How to pronounce impressionist (audio)
1
often capitalized : someone (such as a painter) who practices or adheres to the theories of impressionism
2
: an entertainer who does impressions

Examples of impressionist in a Sentence

a celebrated impressionist who can do enough rapid-fire imitations to populate an entire stage with characters
Recent Examples on the Web The 25-year-old impressionist purchased his own microphone at a camera store, Ubered to the event from his hotel, and set up shop without much of a plan. Jake Kring-Schreifels, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Ahead, the master impressionist—whose memorable impersonations include Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, and Reese Witherspoon—chats about hiking in Hawaii, going solo in Paris, and following dogs in Japan. Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2024 As an impressionist, Carvey's style was more, well, impressionist — his gabbling, discursive George H.W. Bush spinning out further and further while remaining resolutely tethered to some measure of loony reality. Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2023 As an impressionist, Carvey's style was more, well, impressionist, his gabbling, discursive George H.W. Bush spinning out further and further while remaining resolutely tethered to some measure of loony reality. Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2022 Pierre-Auguste Renoir , another great impressionist, considered his sculpting ability without equal. Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 At the time of his death, Van Gogh was finally getting noticed by the French impressionists. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2024 Another theory is that as a filmmaker, Hong has often been compared to a painter, in particular the impressionists. Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023 The zany impressionist even won over clown disparager Cowell. USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impressionist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of impressionist was in 1874

Dictionary Entries Near impressionist

Cite this Entry

“Impressionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impressionist. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

impressionist

noun
im·​pres·​sion·​ist im-ˈpresh-(ə-)nəst How to pronounce impressionist (audio)
1
often capitalized : a person (as a painter) who practices impressionism
2
: an entertainer who does impressions

More from Merriam-Webster on impressionist

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