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Impressionable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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impressionable

[ɪmˈprɛʃənəbəl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

characteristics

easily influenced or affected by others

Synonyms

suggestible, susceptible, vulnerable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
impressionable

Use when describing someone who is easily influenced by others, often because of their youth or lack of experience.

  • Teenagers can be very impressionable, and marketing often targets them
  • She was impressionable and naive when she first came to the big city
suggestible

Applicable when referring to people who can easily accept and act on suggestions from others, not necessarily implying a lack of experience or youth.

  • He found that his patients were highly suggestible under hypnosis
  • Children are often suggestible and may believe what they are told without question
vulnerable

Describes a state of being open to harm, emotional wound, or attack, frequently with a focus on sensitive or exposed conditions. Often has a negative connotation.

  • After the breakup, he felt extremely vulnerable and couldn't trust anyone
  • The financial crisis left many families vulnerable to homelessness
susceptible

Best used when indicating someone who is likely to be affected by external influences or conditions, including both positive and negative effects.

  • People with weak immune systems are more susceptible to infections
  • She was very susceptible to flattery, which made her an easy target

Examples of usage

  • She was young and impressionable, so she believed everything she was told.
  • Teenagers are often impressionable and can be easily swayed by peer pressure.
Context #2 | Adjective

emotions

easily stirred or aroused emotionally

Synonyms

responsive, sensitive, sentimental.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
impressionable

Used to describe someone who is easily influenced by others, usually due to lack of experience or maturity.

  • 'Teenagers are often impressionable and are likely to follow trends they see on social media.'
  • 'She was impressionable and took his advice seriously, even though it was not very good.'
sensitive

Describes someone who is easily affected by emotions or external stimuli, often in a way that requires careful handling. Can also mean being perceptively aware of others' feelings.

  • 'She's too sensitive and takes even the slightest criticism to heart.'
  • 'He is sensitive to the needs of his employees, making sure they are comfortable at work.'
responsive

Used to describe someone who reacts quickly and positively to a stimulus or suggestion. Often used in a context where quick feedback or adaptability is important.

  • 'The new software is very responsive and adapts to user needs immediately.'
  • 'He was very responsive to her concerns, addressing them as soon as they were raised.'
sentimental

Used to describe someone who has a strong emotional attachment to things, memories, or people, often in a nostalgic or tender way.

  • 'He is quite sentimental and keeps all his old school reports.'
  • 'She cried during the movie because she's very sentimental about family.'

Examples of usage

  • His impressionable nature made him susceptible to falling in love quickly.
  • The movie left a lasting impact on the impressionable minds of the children.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'impressionable'

The word 'impressionable' originates from the verb 'impress' combined with the suffix '-ible', which means 'able to be'. It first appeared in the early 19th century. The term emphasizes the ability of an individual to be easily influenced or affected by external factors. Being impressionable can have both positive and negative connotations depending on the context in which it is used.

See also: impressed, impression, impressions, impressive, impressively, impressiveness, unimpressed, unimpressive.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,485, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.