Impersonated: meaning, definitions and examples
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impersonated
[ɪmˈpɜːrsəneɪtɪd ]
Definition
acting as someone
To impersonate means to act or imitate another person, often with the intent to deceive or entertain. This can involve copying someone's behavior, voice, and mannerisms, and it is commonly seen in performances, comedy, and illegal activities such as identity theft.
Synonyms
imitate, mimic, pose as, simulate.
Examples of usage
- He impersonated a police officer to gain access.
- The comedian impersonated several celebrities during the show.
- She was accused of impersonating a government official.
- They were caught impersonating customer service representatives.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the Latin 'impersonare,' meaning to make oneself a person or to assume a character.
- It combines 'in-' meaning 'not,' with 'persona,' which refers to a mask or character in a play.
Pop Culture
- In movies and television shows, characters often impersonate others to create humorous or suspenseful situations, such as in 'Mrs. Doubtfire.'
- Celebrity impersonators are popular in entertainment, performing at events and showcasing their skills mimicking famous personalities.
Psychology
- Impersonation can reveal aspects of identity and social roles, as individuals may embody traits different from their own.
- In role-playing therapy, impersonation helps individuals explore emotions and behaviors by stepping into another's shoes.
Literature
- Many classic novels feature characters who impersonate others, such as in 'The Prince and the Pauper' where a prince and a pauper switch identities.
- Shakespeare often used impersonation in his plays, where characters disguise themselves for love or escape, such as in 'Twelfth Night.'
Technology
- In the digital age, impersonation can occur online through social media profiles or hacking, affecting privacy and security.
- Phishing scams often involve impersonating legitimate entities to trick individuals into giving away personal information.
Translations
Translations of the word "impersonated" in other languages:
🇵🇹 fingido
🇮🇳 नकल किया हुआ
🇩🇪 nachgeahmt
🇮🇩 ditiru
🇺🇦 вдаваний
🇵🇱 udawany
🇯🇵 偽装された
🇫🇷 imité
🇪🇸 impostado
🇹🇷 taklit edilmiş
🇰🇷 흉내낸
🇸🇦 مُزَوَّر
🇨🇿 napodobený
🇸🇰 napodobovaný
🇨🇳 模仿的
🇸🇮 posneman
🇮🇸 afritaður
🇰🇿 көшірілген
🇬🇪 მიმტევებელი
🇦🇿 təqlid edilmiş
🇲🇽 impostado
Word Frequency Rank
This word's position of #33,373 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.
- ...
- 33370 jackknife
- 33371 captioning
- 33372 prenatally
- 33373 impersonated
- 33374 unburden
- 33375 reprieved
- 33376 guillotined
- ...