impressiveim‧pres‧sive /ɪmˈpresɪv/ ●●○ W3 adjective 
The figures certainly look impressive. Among the guests was an impressive array of authors and critics.► see thesaurus at good—impressively adverb: Production standards are impressively high.—impressiveness noun [uncountable]THESAURUSimpressive used about something that people admire because it is very good, large, important etc: · The cathedral is very impressive.· The drug has shown some impressive results.dazzling extremely impressive – used especially when someone does something very well or looks very beautiful: · a dazzling performance· a dazzling smilebreathtaking extremely impressive – used especially about beautiful views, or the fast speed of something: · The views of the Rocky Mountains are simply breathtaking.· The economy is growing at a breathtaking pace.spectacular very impressive and exciting to look at or watch: · a spectacular fireworks displayawe-inspiring so impressive that you feel great respect and admiration, or you feel rather frightened: · Michelangelo’s masterpiece is awe-inspiring.· The volcano was an awe-inspiring sight.majestic [usually before noun] very impressive because of being big and beautiful: · the majestic mountain scenery· a majestic animalimposing [usually before noun] written used about buildings and people that are large and impressive: · the imposing entrance hall· The bishop was an imposing figure.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Alan Howard has been impressive in "Henry IV' at the National Theatre.
- an impressive achievement
- Lexi was an impressive dramatic actress.
- The Bruins have been impressive in their last five games.
- The rich variety of animal life we found was very impressive.
- The school's examination results were very impressive.
- You can visit the desert as part of an impressive 5-day excursion out of the city.
- Benedict returned from each journey with impressive paintings, relics, books, and glassworks for his monasteries.
- Even so, that by-election victor, Mrs Elizabeth Shield, scored an impressive 22,449.
- External views are very impressive such as the remote target view.
- The little guy can sometimes wield the Freedom of Information Act to impressive effect.
- The results have been impressive, with 17 designated neighborhoods.
THESAURUS
used about something that people admire because it is very good, large, important etc: · The cathedral is very impressive.· The drug has shown some impressive results.
extremely impressive – used especially when someone does something very well or looks very beautiful: · a dazzling performance· a dazzling smile
extremely impressive – used especially about beautiful views, or the fast speed of something: · The views of the Rocky Mountains are simply breathtaking.· The economy is growing at a breathtaking pace.
very impressive and exciting to look at or watch: · a spectacular fireworks display
so impressive that you feel great respect and admiration, or you feel rather frightened: · Michelangelo’s masterpiece is awe-inspiring.· The volcano was an awe-inspiring sight.
[usually before noun] very impressive because of being big and beautiful: · the majestic mountain scenery· a majestic animal
[usually before noun] written used about buildings and people that are large and impressive: · the imposing entrance hall· The bishop was an imposing figure.
Longman Language Activatora good performance/piece of work/achievement · Harry's work is always very good.· Rosemary does a good job here.· It's the best performance we've seen from Giggs all season.· Her grades are getting better all the time.
extremely good: · They complimented her on her excellent English.· Many studies reported excellent results with the drug.
an outstanding performance or achievement is extremely good and much better than that of most other people: · It was an outstanding performance by a talented young actor.· Her work has been outstanding all year.
extremely good, and showing an unusually high level of skill or intelligence: · Michael Horden gave a brilliant performance as King Lear.· After a brilliant career at St Luke's Hospital, she was given her own department.· The decision to reorganize the company was a brilliant success.
something that is impressive is of an unusually good quality and you admire it: · The school's examination results were very impressive.· an impressive achievement
much better than the usual standard: · He writes good essays, but I wouldn't say that his work is particularly exceptional.· Merits are given as an honour for exceptional achievement.
formal something that is admirable has good qualities that make you like and admire it: · It is an admirable book, the first to tell the whole truth about the war.
words for describing someone or something that impresses you · The rich variety of animal life we found was very impressive.· Alan Howard has been impressive in "Henry IV' at the National Theatre.· You can visit the desert as part of an impressive 5-day excursion out of the city.· He gave an impressive performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No 3.
a building or part of a building that is imposing is big and impressive: · An imposing staircase led out of the hall.· The show took place outside the imposing Central Library building on Fifth Avenue.· It's one of the most distinguished hotels in Italy, grand and imposing.
impressive, especially because of being extremely skilfully done, having an unusually beautiful appearance etc - used especially in news reports: · During his short but dazzling career he broke almost every scoring record in the National League.· She looked dazzling, with her long blonde hair and diamond earrings.
impressive, especially because of being very unusual to look at: · From the outside, the most striking aspect of the building is its tall, slender tower.· It's a tall plant with striking red flowers in early spring.· The face in the photograph was striking - good-looking and vivacious.
so big and impressive that you feel slightly nervous: · The pyramids at dawn were an awe-inspiring sight.· The canyon was so awe-inspiring that even Dan was speechless.
very impressive and exciting, especially as a result of great speed, size, or beauty: · The bank's new on-line service is still growing at a breathtaking pace.· The drive along the beach and up the mountain is truly breathtaking.· The guest house was on the side of the cliff, with breathtaking views of the ocean below.
made or done in order to impress people: · The conferences always take place in grand hotels, away from the realities of life.· They always make grand promises to the biggest group of voters.
very impressive because of being very big and beautiful: · the majestic mountains of the Himalayas· Tintern Abbey is noted for its majestic arches, fine doorways and elegant windows.
something such as a view or a performance that is spectacular is very impressive and exciting to look at or watch: · The campground in Emerald Bay State Park has a spectacular setting.· To celebrate independence day, there was a spectacular fireworks display.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Among the guests was an impressive array of authors and critics.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Cutting the budget was an impressive accomplishment. There was a vast array of colours to choose from.
Among the guests was an impressive array of authors and critics. Cutting the budget was an impressive accomplishment. (=one that deserves to be admired)· Winning the award was a great achievement.
There was a vast array of colours to choose from.· the impressive buildings around the town’s central square
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Other statistics are equally as impressive.· The heritage fare is as impressive as the music.· Longer term analysis still showed a reduction in the prevalence rates, but it was not as impressive.· Meanwhile, speculation over Barkley upstaged a Spurs triumph that was as impressive as it was convincing.· Birdwatchers flock to the West Country in numbers as impressive as their quarry.· The sound quality is quite as impressive as Levine's full-price version, which is otherwise an obviously first choice.· Pacino is not as impressive, turning in essentially a similar tough-guy performance to his Vincent Hanna in Heat.· Altogether Höll's weight and authority are as impressive as any pianist's in this work.
· The great beams supporting the roof were held in place by equally impressive timbers.· There were humans of all shapes and sizes, richly and ostentatiously dressed, and a large mingling of equally impressive exters.· Williams has learned that a 6-6, 250-pound tight end and a 5-9, 185-pound running back can cast equally impressive shadows.· His match record is equally impressive.· These are the grandiose stone-built mill at Ebley and the equally impressive brick-built Stanley Mill.· Their diving skills are equally impressive.· They came after Benito Carbone had given City a half-time lead with an equally impressive strike.
· This linguistic argument is, however, less impressive on closer inspection.· They're less impressive as they smoulder, marmalade-like, over a pair of kohl-black eyebrows.· The absolute figures are less impressive.· This machine is extremely fast on disk-intensive tasks, but the video card is less impressive.· It only describes what happens around us - which is frankly a lot less impressive.· Moreover, the recording is hardly less impressive, and one of the best I have heard from this source recently.· This looks less impressive if you know that only 10 people were asked for their views and seven responded favourably.· Dramatic as the change in the system was, its actual contribution to the royal war-effort in these years was less impressive.
· So far, we have been looking at the rather more impressive remains of former villages.· The two countries share an overlapping cultural heritage, yet in many ways the tension between them is more impressive.· Morley Street, against weaker opposition, was even more impressive.· Their presence is far more impressive than any photographs can indicate.· Far more impressive was the reclamation of the eastern fenlands.· The museum is home to even more impressive historical hunks of hardware, including a piece of the original Whirlwind computer.· It stood in the corner of a small field, larger and more impressive than any I'd yet seen.· The name is a lot more impressive than the school itself.
· Two of the most impressive survivors of these churches are those of the monasteries of S. Barlaam and S. Stephen.· But Stanford has been the most impressive.· In appendix F over 70 pavements are listed, including all the most impressive arrangements.· Yet back in the primary visual cortex, the fourth layer is the most impressive of all.· The most impressive winner of the afternoon was North-East junior champion Michael Threadgill.· Some of the most impressive scenery in Arizona, with hiking, camping and some great dirt-road driving.· In particular, their intonation, a special problem in such thickly scored music, is most impressive.· What is most impressive about Mr Gates is that his success has not corrupted his principles.
· These figures represent an improvement over those for existing towns, but are not particularly impressive.· When you have low control coupled with low demands, your work will not be particularly impressive.· What is almost certain is that royal land-holdings were vast, and they were probably particularly impressive in the north.· The final Adagio of this sonata is particularly impressive.· Further on, the Lower Ddwli Falls are particularly impressive when the river is flowing fast.· The collection of Verdi memorabilia is particularly impressive, with several manuscripts in his own hand.· The design of the fittings by which the screen is attached to the monitor is particularly impressive.· Of these the Norfolk Democrat and Suffolk Punch, both printed and carrying advertisements, were particularly impressive.
· It started off with a pretty impressive motorcycle-and it's more impressive still, now.· His top offensive threats are two temperamental sophomores, and he made a major schematic shift in midseason. Pretty impressive.· Katharine's first canter pirouette, pretty impressive!· Depending on the site, you can find some pretty impressive examples of regional cuisine at the old ballpark.· At first, it looks pretty impressive.· Baron was pretty impressive: The sound of a wet finger sliding across a drum head resembles nothing else.· All in time for tea. Pretty impressive, hey?· I thought it was a pretty impressive list.
· The results of using Carbonflo are quite impressive in the short term.· Some of the schemes thought out are, however, in a general way quite impressive.· Graphics handling is also quite impressive, on a par with much more expensive laser printers.
· At night, it was so impressive when there were no clouds to obscure the countryside below.· And yet, is it so impressive?· An alert artistic temperament is the first requirement for the creation of these so impressive two dimensional figures.· He was not prepared for anything so impressive.· There are some flaws, however, in her behaviour that make her turn out to be not so impressive.· Barnhorne was not quite so impressive, set as it was on the shifting, sea-threatened, marshland east of Pevensey.· But this is not so impressive as it appears.
· At the end of the war in 1945, the growth in the District's educational activity was very impressive.· At night, it was very impressive.· There was an air of industry and purpose which I found very impressive.· He spins the ball well, and is very impressive indeed.· And with a very impressive nominating committee....· It was a very impressive comeback for Cross, who had been out of the game for six months with shin splints.· The statistics were initially very impressive.
NOUN· Both styles come with an impressive array of features including Gore-Tex lining, Cordura upper and Vibram sole.· They possess an impressive array of scent glands under nervous and endocrine control, the hormones involved being mostly steroids.· It will complete an impressive array of hardware - ready, for the next war.
· Here an impressive collection of vehicles from the Great Age of Steam awaits unsuspecting engineers from two to ninety-two.· There is also an impressive collection of first editions.
· For special occasions, you can be more extravagant and go for dramatic, impressive displays.· In an impressive display of versatility at Aqueduct, Precisionist rallied from just of the pace to win the Sprint.· George Edmund Street entered all parts of the competition with an impressive display of twenty-three drawings.· Judging from his stock, funerals must have held some position of importance to have merited such an impressive display of hatchments.· Overall the factory tour was an impressive display of quality and pride in the job.· An impressive display from Magnum player Muir saw him cruise through with a 7-2, 7-1, 7-1 win.· Rovers two most recent matches have yielded just one point, despite impressive displays against Watford and Peterborough.
· When Adobe's fonts are added to those already available in 3.1, they make an impressive list.· I thought it was a pretty impressive list.· It has an impressive list of collaborators and the first year's course has been fully subscribed.· Quite an impressive list, but marked by a complete absence of public interest considerations.· This impressive list could be quite intimidating to any executive managers faced with planning and implementing an organizational transformation.· Deloitte has an impressive list of audit clients although its management consultancy practice is only half the size of Coopers.
· Tamas Vasary, a former Northern Sinfonia director of music, conducted and secured am impressive performance.· Gibson and Rene Russo turn out impressive performances as the distraught parents, and Sinise is appropriately evil.· Even so, an exciting timed race around the challenging assault course on the hill produced some impressive performances.· Full back Joe Lydon also grabbed a couple in an impressive performance.· Despite its impressive performance, the Rover is not particularly thirsty.· It was an impressive performance with Kasparov and Yusopov absent and Karpov arriving late.· Many researchers who use computers are still not satisfied with this impressive performance.
· Orlandersmith has an impressive range, both as a writer and a performer.· A very impressive range of innovative features certainly refresh this otherwise flat game.· Stewarts keep an impressive range from several different producers.
· All in all, that makes for a fairly impressive record.· Numerically, it was an impressive record but it did not bear too much scrutiny.· Nineteen goals at this stage of the season, especially with a new club, is an impressive record.· The Emperor takes personal command of his army whenever possible, and has earned himself an impressive record of victories and conquest.· But despite his impressive record the young lion is struggling to put together a decent budget for 1991.· In three previous qualifying rounds at Middlesbrough, Collins has an impressive record.· Given the extent of economic deprivation, it was an impressive record.
· It's not quite up to the resolution of the 3.34 models but turned in some impressive results.· Our tests on moving fish around in correctly dosed water brought impressive results.· Some classrooms already use the system, with impressive results.· The old chair-makers had no machinery, and they produced some pretty impressive results.· It exudes quality and turned in some impressive results.· Mr Mulryne, and those who think like him, maintain that selection is largely responsible for these impressive results.· By any standards these are impressive results.
· This impressive sight attracts the camera enthusiast to Swanland from where excellent photographs of the bridge can be taken.· A shoal makes an impressive sight, especially as they are one of the few catfish active by day.· This was the first time I actually saw him, and it was an impressive sight.· Devlin had called her to come up quickly and see the impressive sight of Grand Harbour's floodlit fortifications in the distance.· A considerable portion of the temple still stands and, even in its ruined condition, presents a most impressive sight.· Even today, seven hundred years after it was built, the vast walled enclosure is still an impressive sight.· Flat-muscled, radiating cool, relaxed strength, admittedly he was an impressive sight.
· After an impressive victory at Kingston Blount last Saturday, he could win either race.· An impressive victory at the polls provides temptations that are hard to resist.· Meantime, Brian Bell of Bangor scored an impressive victory in the men's 100m freestyle with a time of 52.70.· But it was a far from impressive victory.
WORD FAMILYnounimpressionimpressionismimpressionistimpressivenessadjectiveimpressionableimpressive ≠ unimpressiveimpressionisticunimpressedadverbimpressivelyimpressionisticallyverbimpress
something that is impressive makes you admire it because it is very good, large, important etc: The figures certainly look impressive. Among the guests was an impressive array of authors and critics.► see thesaurus at good—impressively adverb: Production standards are impressively high.—impressiveness noun [uncountable]THESAURUSimpressive used about something that people admire because it is very good, large, important etc: · The cathedral is very impressive.· The drug has shown some impressive results.dazzling extremely impressive – used especially when someone does something very well or looks very beautiful: · a dazzling performance· a dazzling smilebreathtaking extremely impressive – used especially about beautiful views, or the fast speed of something: · The views of the Rocky Mountains are simply breathtaking.· The economy is growing at a breathtaking pace.spectacular very impressive and exciting to look at or watch: · a spectacular fireworks displayawe-inspiring so impressive that you feel great respect and admiration, or you feel rather frightened: · Michelangelo’s masterpiece is awe-inspiring.· The volcano was an awe-inspiring sight.majestic [usually before noun] very impressive because of being big and beautiful: · the majestic mountain scenery· a majestic animalimposing [usually before noun] written used about buildings and people that are large and impressive: · the imposing entrance hall· The bishop was an imposing figure.