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impressive

impressive

584 3.4
Causing people to admire it, like a building or performance, because it is very good
  • adjective
  • /ɪmˈprɛsɪv/
translation icon : impresionante
  • This is by far the most impressive piece of work.
  • impressive results
  • impressive gains
  • impressive economic growth

That means you have raised an impressive young man.

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Examples

  • That means you have raised an impressive young man.

  • I have to say, the view here is very impressive.

  • And I still think it's impressive that it works at all.

  • This is a seriously impressive version of this truck.

  • And they show their support through impressive levels of giving.

  • You could have an impressive career in politics or criminal justice, should you so choose.

  • The valley stretched to an even more impressive mountain range in the distance.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • There are many other professionals in the field with similarly impressive qualifications.

    Academic text (2011)
  • When he moved out to Netivot, he built an impressive ranch house there.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The scientist's research resulted in an impressive array of groundbreaking discoveries.

Synonyms

amazing
vsimpressive
1.0

Causing great surprise and admiration

is more tied to respect or skill, not only unexpected surprise or wonder
awesome
vsimpressive
968 2.1

Very impressive and causing a strong feeling of wonder

is milder, producing respect or approval without extreme wonder
remarkable
vsimpressive
588 2.8

Unusual and easy to notice because it is different or surprising

is broader, causing admiration also from skill or steady effectiveness rather than surprise
magnificent
vsimpressive
299 3.9

Very impressive and beautiful in appearance or style

is not only about grand looks but also skillful or effective achievement
spectacular
vsimpressive
265 3.5

Very impressive and exciting to look at

is used more broadly to express admiration for skill or effective results
outstanding
vsimpressive
257 3.4

Much better than most others in skill or quality

is about causing admiration for notable or effective performance, not only superiority
glorious
vsimpressive
253 3.6

Very beautiful and impressive in a way that makes people admire it

is broader, applying to notable skill, effectiveness, or things beyond appearance
marvelous
vsimpressive
  • US
251 1.8

Very good and surprising in a way that pleases people

is more general, causing admiration from skill or notable effectiveness
stunning
vsimpressive
210 3.7

Very beautiful and impressive to look at

is less tied to beauty, covering admiration from skill and effectiveness
phenomenal
vsimpressive
113 5.4

Very impressive and much better than normal

is milder, used for notable or skillful results without extraordinary intensity
astounding
vsimpressive
92 4.1

So surprising and impressive that you feel amazed

is more focused on surprise than steady admiration from skill or effectiveness
admirable
vsimpressive
87 3.3

Having good qualities that make people respect you

is broader, causing admiration also by notable skill or effective results
brilliant
vsimpressive
30 3.2

Very impressive and grand in appearance or style

is broader, applying to many causes of admiration beyond cleverness
out of this world
vsimpressive
  • Informal
21 4.1

Very good and impressive

is more grounded, praising notable skill or effective achievement within reality
stupendous
vsimpressive
19 6.7

Very large or impressive in a way that amazes people

is generally less about scale and more about notable skill or effectiveness
awe-inspiring
vsimpressive
16 5.6

Causes people to feel great respect and wonder because it is very impressive

is less intense, causing admiration without overwhelming awe or fear
astonishing
vsimpressive
5 3.4

Very surprising and making you feel great wonder

is usually less about surprise and more about notable skill or effect
redoubtable
vsimpressive
  • Formal
3 9.0

Someone who makes others feel fear and respect because they are very powerful

is about admiration or respect without the fearful or intimidating element
absolutely awesome
vsimpressive
  • Informal
2 2.8

Very impressive and exciting

is less intensified, praising notable skill or effectiveness without extra emphasis
simply phenomenal
vsimpressive
1 5.5

Very impressive and much better than you expect

is less hyperbolic, applying to notable skill or good effectiveness

Antonyms

9 3.9

Not very good or likely to attract attention

5 2.0

A person or thing that is not special

Compounds

Very exciting and surprising to see

impressive aphasia
  • Specialized
9.9

Fluent speech that has little meaning and very poor understanding of what others say or write

How Impressive

breathtaking
77 3.5
impressive
584 3.4
striking
56 3.8
ordinary
683 1.0

Surface Forms

impressive positive
impressiver comparative
impressivest superlative

Morphology

impressive = impress (transparent) = impress + ive

The adjective is formed by adding the productive suffix '-ive' to the verb 'impress', and its meaning 'causing admiration' follows directly from the verb.

Etymology

The word impressive comes from the verb impress, made of im- and press, and press comes from an old Latin root pressare meaning 'to press'. Think of something that 'presses' into your mind or feelings so strongly you notice it, because that pressure is what makes something impressive and worthy of admiration or respect.