impression
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for impression, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A feeling or opinion formed about something, often quickly and without deep analysis.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use impression
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French impression, from Latin impressio, from imprimere ("to press into") — related to impress.
Full origin of impression →Frequently asked questions
What does “impression” mean?
The word “impression” means a feeling or opinion formed about something, often quickly and without deep analysis. In plain terms, an opinion you form quickly, a physical mark, an imitation of someone, or (online) a single view/display of content.
How do you pronounce “impression”?
“Impression” is pronounced ihm-PREHSHN (/ɪmˈpɹɛʃn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “impression” in a sentence?
Here is “impression” used in a sentence: “My first impression of the city was that it was noisy but friendly.”
What part of speech is “impression”?
“Impression” is a noun.
Where does the word “impression” come from?
The word “impression” comes from Latin. From Old French impression, from Latin impressio, from imprimere ("to press into") — related to impress.
Is “impression” a common word?
“Impression” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “impression” have?
“Impression” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a feeling or opinion formed about something, often quickly and without deep analysis.
What is the difference between "impression" and "expression"?
An "impression" is a feeling, opinion, or mark left by something, as in "a good first impression." An "expression" is the act of conveying something, such as a facial expression or a set phrase. One is received or formed, while the other is given out.
What is the difference between "impression" and "imprint"?
An "impression" can be a feeling or opinion, or a physical mark made by pressing. An "imprint" is almost always a physical mark left on a surface, or a publisher's name on a book. When referring to a pressed mark the two overlap, but only "impression" also carries the meaning of an opinion.