impression

im·pres·sion

noun \im-ˈpre-shən\

Definition of IMPRESSION

1

a : a characteristic, trait, or feature resulting from some influence <the impression on behavior produced by the social milieu> b : an effect of alteration or improvement <the settlement left little impression on the wilderness> c : a telling image impressed on the senses or the mind

2

: the effect produced by impressing: as a : a stamp, form, or figure resulting from physical contact b : an imprint of the teeth and adjacent portions of the jaw for use in dentistry c : an especially marked and often favorable influence or effect on feeling, sense, or mind

3

: the act of impressing: as a : an affecting by stamping or pressing b : a communicating of a mold, trait, or character by an external force or influence

4

a : the amount of pressure with which an inked printing surface deposits its ink on the paper b : one instance of the meeting of a printing surface and the material being printed; also : a single print or copy so made c : all the copies (as of a book) printed in one continuous operation from a single makeready

5

: an often indistinct or imprecise notion or remembrance

6

a : the first coat of color in painting b : a coat of paint for ornament or preservation

7

: an imitation or representation of salient features in an artistic or theatrical medium; especially : an imitation in caricature of a noted personality as a form of theatrical entertainment

Examples of IMPRESSION

1. The candidate made a favorable impression.
2. My first impression of him was that he was a kind and thoughtful young man.
3. First impressions are important but can be misleading.
4. In her journal, she recorded her impressions of the city.
5. Her kindness left a lasting impression on her students.
6. I got the distinct impression that they didn't mean to stay long.

First Known Use of IMPRESSION

14th century

Related to IMPRESSION

Synonyms: impress, print, imprint, stamp

Related Words: dent, hollow, indent, indentation, indenture; mark, sign

Near Antonyms: actuality, fact, reality

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See Synonym Discussion at idea

Rhymes with IMPRESSION

accession, aggression, bull session, compression, concession, confession, depression, digression, discretion, egression, expression, ingression, jam session, obsession, oppression, precession, procession, profession, progression, recession, refreshen, regression, repression, secession, skull session, succession, suppression, transgression