imprint on

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

To come to accept, inaccurately, that a creature or object is one's parent and consequently to act as if it is.

Where it’s used: Used American English
Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “imprint on” mean?

To come to accept, inaccurately, that a creature or object is one's parent and consequently to act as if it is.

Is “imprint on” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.