Cool MateImpressive vs Striking
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Impressive
Top 2,000 (common)B1adjective
Striking
Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
| Impressive | Striking | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪmˈpresɪv/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪmˈpresɪv/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈstraɪkɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈstraɪkɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Something that makes you feel admiration or respect. | Very noticeable or impressive. |
| Example | The magician's tricks were truly impressive and left everyone in awe. | a striking feature |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, look, seem, extremely, fairly, very | be, look, extremely, fairly, very, in, be, look, extremely, fairly, very, in |
| Antonyms | unimpressive, ordinary, unremarkable | unremarkable, ordinary, dull |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'impressing' which is a verb form., Using it in a negative context mistakenly., Incorrectly placing it before the noun without an article. | Confused with 'strikes' as in hitting something., Using 'striking' to describe something common or boring., Not understanding it can refer to people as well as objects. |
| Usage notes | Use 'impressive' to describe something that stands out or makes a strong positive impact. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but may sound less natural in casual settings where simpler words might work better. | Use 'striking' to describe something that catches attention due to its beauty, uniqueness, or size. It is appropriate in both spoken and written contexts. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Impressive vs Striking
What's the difference between Impressive and Striking?
Impressive: Something that makes you feel admiration or respect. Striking: Very noticeable or impressive.
Which is more advanced: Impressive and Striking?
Striking is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Impressive and Striking the same CEFR level?
Impressive: B1, Striking: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Impressive and Striking?
Impressive: adjective, Striking: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Impressive: The magician's tricks were truly impressive and left everyone in awe. Striking: a striking feature
Can I use Impressive and Striking interchangeably?
Not always. Impressive and Striking are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.