imponente

imposing

adjective eem-poh-NEN-teh Rare

Origin: Latin imponens, present participle of imponere (to place upon).

Also means

impressive

Usage Note

Imponente describes something that commands awe through sheer size, grandeur, or authority — a palazzo imponente, a figura imponente. It is invariable in gender (un uomo imponente, una donna imponente) but changes for number (imponenti). It is stronger than grande (big) and implies admiration or even slight intimidation.

Examples

"La cattedrale è un edificio davvero imponente."

Natural Translation

The cathedral is a truly imposing building.

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