Phrase guide

first impression

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The event when one person first encounters another person and forms a mental image of them. Wp

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I obviously didn't make much of a first impression with him, because he didn't recognize me from the party two weeks ago.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

(of a case, issue, etc.) The state of not having been previously raised within a particular jurisdiction. Wp

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: law

Examples

  • Because the law was just recently passed, this is a case of first impression.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: ensivaikutelma — event when one person makes a mental image of another
  • German: erster Eindruck — event when one person makes a mental image of another
  • Italian: prima impressione — event when one person makes a mental image of another
  • Portuguese: primeira impressão — event when one person makes a mental image of another
  • Tagalog: unang pagtingin — event when one person makes a mental image of another
  • Turkish: ilk etki — event when one person makes a mental image of another