Impress Meaning
Impress Definition & Usage
To make a strong impact on someone's mind, emotions, or opinion, often by demonstrating skill, talent, or excellence.
Examples
- "Her performance at the piano recital really impressed the judges."
- "I was impressed by his ability to speak five languages fluently."
- "The design of the new car will surely impress customers looking for luxury and innovation."
- "I was deeply impressed by the generosity of the donors."
- "She impressed her boss with her presentation skills during the meeting."
To create an impression or mark on something, especially by pressing or stamping.
Examples
- "He impressed the seal onto the wax to seal the letter."
- "The artist impressed his signature into the clay sculpture."
- "A pattern of leaves was impressed into the soft clay."
- "The shoes left deep impressions in the sand."
- "He impressed the design onto the fabric using a hot iron."
To impress or influence someone in a social or informal context, often with a focus on status, wealth, or appearance.
Examples
- "He’s always trying to impress people with his new car."
- "She wore the most expensive dress just to impress her friends at the party."
- "Stop trying to impress me with your stories of fame and fortune."
- "At the job interview, he tried to impress the interviewer with his extensive resume."
- "They were trying to impress their peers by throwing an extravagant party."
Cultural Context
The verb 'impress' has evolved over centuries, originally referring to the physical act of making a mark or stamp. Over time, its meaning expanded to encompass the figurative sense of making a lasting impact on someone's mind or emotions. This usage reflects the growing cultural value placed on personal achievements, creativity, and innovation.
The Impressive Entrepreneur
Story
The Impressive Entrepreneur
Samantha had always wanted to make an impression, but she didn’t want it to be just any impression. She wanted it to be one that would be remembered for years. As she prepared for her first big presentation at her new job, she carefully thought about every detail. It wasn't just the PowerPoint slides that had to be perfect, but also her delivery, her posture, and even her clothes. She wanted to impress her boss, her colleagues, and most importantly, herself. When the day finally arrived, Samantha stood before a room full of sharp professionals, all eager to see what she had prepared. She started with a confident greeting, and immediately, she could see the impressed faces of her audience. The content was solid, but it was her delivery that really left an impression. She was passionate, engaging, and knowledgeable. After the presentation, her boss, Mr. Anderson, walked up to her with a smile. 'You really impressed me today, Samantha. I think you’re ready for more responsibility. Let’s discuss your future at the company.' Later that night, as Samantha walked out of the office building, she couldn't help but think about how much she had impressed everyone. The feeling was unlike any other, and she realized that it wasn’t about trying to impress others with her skills; it was about impressing herself with what she was capable of achieving. Her friends, too, were impressed when she shared the news of her success. They congratulated her, but she couldn't help but notice the subtle undertones of competition in their voices. They, too, wanted to impress each other, but Samantha had learned that the most important thing was not impressing others, but impressing herself. The day ended with a sense of fulfillment, knowing that her hard work had truly impressed the right people, in the right way.
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