Imposing

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Imposing

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

adjective

Pronunciation

im-POH-zing  /ɪmˈpəʊzɪŋ/

Definition

Grand and impressive in appearance; commanding attention and respect through size, grandeur, or authority.

Plain meaning

Imposing means impressively large, grand, or commanding — making a strong impression. An imposing building is one that is so large or grand that it commands respect or awe. An imposing presence means someone who commands attention when they enter a room. An imposing mountain range stretches magnificently across the horizon. The word always implies a positive or at least powerful impression — something imposing cannot be ignored.

Register

Neutral to slightly elevated. Imposing is used in descriptions of architecture, landscape, and people. It carries an admiring connotation — to call something imposing is to acknowledge its power to command attention. It is formal enough to appear in architectural and art criticism and common enough to appear in travel writing and everyday description.