6 PHRASE If you are under the impression that something is the case, you believe that it is the case, usually when it is not actually the case. □ He had apparently been under the impression that a military coup was in progress.
im|pres|sion|able / I mpre ʃənəb ə l/ ADJ Someone who is impressionable , usually a young person, is not very critical and is therefore easy to influence. □ The law is intended to protect young and impressionable viewers.
Im|pres|sion|ism / I mpre ʃən I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Impressionism is a style of painting developed in France between 1870 and 1900 which concentrated on showing the effects of light on things rather than on clear and exact detail.
im|pres|sion|ist / I mpre ʃən I st/ (impressionists ) N‑COUNT An impressionist is an entertainer who does amusing imitations of well-known people.
Im|pres|sion|ist (Impressionists )
1 N‑COUNT An Impressionist is an artist who painted in the style of Impressionism. □ …the French Impressionists.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] An Impressionist painting is by an Impressionist or is in the style of Impressionism.
im|pres|sion|is|tic / I mpre ʃən I st I k/ ADJ An impressionistic work of art or piece of writing shows the artist's or writer's impressions of something rather than giving clear details. □ His paintings had become more impressionistic as his eyesight dimmed.
im|pres|sive ◆◇◇ / I mpre s I v/ ADJ Something that is impressive impresses you, for example because it is great in size or degree, or is done with a great deal of skill. □ It is an impressive achievement. ● im|pres|sive|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ …an impressively bright and energetic American woman called Cathie Gould. SYNONYMS impressive ADJ
striking: …her striking good looks.
grand: …this grand building in the center of town.
powerfuclass="underline" …a powerful new style of dance-theatre.
dramatic: Their arrival was dramatic and exciting.
awe-inspiring: …a museum with an awe-inspiring display of jewellery.
im|pri|ma|tur / I mpr I mɑː tə r / (imprimaturs ) N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] If something such as a product has someone's imprimatur , that person has given it their official approval, for example by allowing their name to be shown on it. □ The University of Glasgow gave its imprimatur to the school.
im|print (imprints , imprinting , imprinted ) The noun is pronounced / I mpr I nt/. The verb is pronounced / I mpr I nt/. 1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If something leaves an imprint on a place or on your mind, it has a strong and lasting effect on it. □ [+ of ] The city bears the imprint of Japanese investment. [Also + on ]
2 VERB When something is imprinted on your memory, it is firmly fixed in your memory so that you will not forget it. □ [be V -ed + on/in ] The skyline of domes and minarets was imprinted on my memory. □ [V n + on/in ] He repeated the names, as if to imprint them in his mind.
3 N‑COUNT An imprint is a mark or outline made by the pressure of one object on another. □ [+ of ] The ground still bore the imprints of their feet.
4 VERB [usu passive] If a surface is imprinted with a mark or design, that mark or design is printed on the surface or pressed into it. □ [be V -ed + with ] Stationery can be imprinted with your message or logo. [Also V n + on ]
im|pris|on / I mpr I z ə n/ (imprisons , imprisoning , imprisoned ) VERB If someone is imprisoned , they are locked up or kept somewhere, usually in prison as a punishment for a crime or for political opposition. □ [be V -ed] The local priest was imprisoned for 18 months on charges of anti-state agitation. □ [V n] Dutch colonial authorities imprisoned him for his part in the independence movement.
im|pris|on|ment / I mpr I z ə nmənt/ N‑UNCOUNT Imprisonment is the state of being imprisoned. □ She was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment.
im|prob|able / I mprɒ bəb ə l/
1 ADJ Something that is improbable is unlikely to be true or to happen. □ …a highly improbable coincidence. ● im|prob|abil|ity / I mprɒ bəb I l I ti/ (improbabilities ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …the improbability of such an outcome.
2 ADJ If you describe something as improbable , you mean it is strange, unusual, or ridiculous. □ On the face of it, their marriage seems an improbable alliance. ● im|prob|ably ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ The sea is an improbably pale turquoise.
im|promp|tu / I mprɒ mptjuː, [AM ] -tuː/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An impromptu action is one that you do without planning or organizing it in advance. □ This afternoon the Palestinians held an impromptu press conference.
im|prop|er / I mprɒ pə r /
1 ADJ Improper activities are illegal or dishonest. [FORMAL ] □ 25 officers were investigated following allegations of improper conduct. ● im|prop|er|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ I acted neither fraudulently nor improperly.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Improper conditions or methods of treatment are not suitable or good enough for a particular purpose. [FORMAL ] □ The improper use of medicine could lead to severe adverse reactions. ● im|prop|er|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The study confirmed many reports that doctors were improperly trained.
3 ADJ If you describe someone's behaviour as improper , you mean that it is rude or shocking. [OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He would never be improper, he is always the perfect gentleman.