impact

impact — noun

1. The force produced when two objects hit each other, especially when this causes

1.nounB2
Definition

The force produced when two objects hit each other, especially when this causes damage or a violent reaction.

Example

The airbags inflated on impact, saving the driver from serious injury.

collocation: on impact (at the moment of collision)

Samir checked the car door for signs of impact after the hailstorm.

Common collocations
  • on impact
  • the impact of [sth]
  • impact with [sth]
  • upon impact
Synonyms
  • collision

    focuses on the event of two objects hitting, not the resulting force

  • crash

    less formal; often used for vehicles or loud breaking sounds

  • blow

    focuses on a single forceful strike, often to a body or surface

Grammar Patterns

on impact

the impact of [noun]

Usage Note

Often used in the fixed phrase 'on impact' to describe what happens at the exact moment of collision.

Common Mistakes

The impact of the car and the wall was loud.
The impact of the car against the wall was loud.
Use 'against' or 'with' rather than 'and' to describe two objects colliding.

2. A noticeable change produced in a situation, person, or thing by a new developme

2.nounB1
Definition

A noticeable change produced in a situation, person, or thing by a new development, event, or person.

Example

The new policy had a major impact on local businesses across the region.

collocation: have a(n) [adj.] impact on [noun]

Maeve's speech about climate change made a lasting impact on everyone present.

collocation: make a(n) [adj.] impact

Common collocations
  • have an impact on
  • make an impact
  • profound/significant/major/lasting impact
  • positive/negative/economic/environmental impact
Synonyms
  • effect

    the most neutral term; less forceful than impact

  • influence

    suggests gradual or indirect shaping over time

  • consequence

    emphasises a result that follows logically, often negative

Grammar Patterns

have an impact on [noun]

make an impact

Usage Note

Commonly modified by adjectives such as 'significant', 'major', 'profound', 'lasting', 'positive', 'negative'. The preposition 'on' (or 'upon') introduces what is affected.

Common Mistakes

The news had an impact in my decision.
The news had an impact on my decision.
Use 'on', not 'in' or 'to'.

impact — verb

Word family

  • impacted
    adjectiveC1
  • impactful
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

Effect is the most neutral and general word for any result produced by an action or cause. Influence suggests a gradual or indirect force that shapes a person, thing, or situation over time — it is less immediate than effect. Consequence emphasises that something follows logically from an action or condition, and often carries a negative tone. Impact is stronger than all three: it stresses the force, significance, or drama of the effect. For example: 'The medicine had an immediate effect on her fever' (neutral result). 'His childhood experiences had a lasting influence on his values' (gradual shaping). 'She lost her job as a consequence of repeated absences' (logical result, negative). 'The earthquake's impact on the city's infrastructure was devastating' (strong, dramatic effect).

effect ↗influence ↗consequence ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

源自拉丁文 impactus，為動詞 impingere（撞入、推撞）的過去分詞，原義指物體互相碰撞。16 世紀進入英語，原僅指物理撞擊；20 世紀後逐漸引申為對人事物產生強烈影響的比喻用法。