Etymologically
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impressive

Etymology and origin of the English word impressive

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1593
Ultimate origin
English (impress,-ive)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ɪmˈpres.ɪv/[1]

Etymology

It is formed from English impress + -ive.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Capable of being easily impressed, susceptible: 1593 in the OED and MWU, a sense now rare or obsolete.[4][3][2]

Semantic evolution

The modern sense, making a deep impression on the mind or senses, is from 1775.[4][2] A rare sense “conveying an impression of” is recorded once, in 1791.[4]

Timeline

  • 1593 – easily impressed.[4][3]
  • 1775 – making a deep impression.[4][2]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Making a strong impression, especially of skill, size or quality, and causing admiration.

Word family

  • impressively
  • impressiveness
  • impression
  • impress

References

  1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b c d e Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
Cite this entry

“Impressive.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/impressive. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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