Impersonating: meaning, definitions and examples

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impersonating

 

[ ɪmˈpɜː(r).sən.eɪ.tɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

in a negative way

To pretend to be someone else, usually for deceitful or fraudulent purposes. This can involve mimicking their behavior, speech, or appearance in order to deceive others.

Synonyms

imitate, masquerade, pretend

Examples of usage

  • He was arrested for impersonating a police officer.
  • She was caught impersonating her boss to access confidential information.
  • The scammer was impersonating a bank employee in order to steal personal information.
  • Impersonating someone online is a serious offense.
  • The actor did a great job impersonating the famous politician in the movie.
Context #2 | Verb

in a positive way

To imitate or mimic someone in a playful or entertaining manner, often for comedic effect or as a form of flattery.

Synonyms

mimic, mock, parody

Examples of usage

  • She enjoys impersonating famous celebrities at parties.
  • The comedian is known for his talent in impersonating various public figures.
  • He can impersonate famous singers with remarkable accuracy.
  • Her talent for impersonating cartoon characters entertains kids and adults alike.
  • Impersonating iconic movie scenes has become a popular trend on social media.

Translations

Translations of the word "impersonating" in other languages:

🇵🇹 imitar

🇮🇳 नकल करना

🇩🇪 nachahmen

🇮🇩 meniru

🇺🇦 видавати себе за

🇵🇱 udawać

🇯🇵 真似る (まねる)

🇫🇷 imiter

🇪🇸 imitar

🇹🇷 taklit etmek

🇰🇷 흉내내다

🇸🇦 تقليد

🇨🇿 napodobovat

🇸🇰 napodobňovať

🇨🇳 模仿 (mófǎng)

🇸🇮 posnemati

🇮🇸 herma eftir

🇰🇿 еліктеу

🇬🇪 მიბაძვა

🇦🇿 təqlid etmək

🇲🇽 imitar

Word origin

The word 'impersonate' originated from the Latin word 'impersonare', which means 'to invest with a personality'. The concept of impersonation has been present throughout history, often used in performances, acting, and entertainment. It can be traced back to theatrical traditions where actors would assume different roles and characters. Over time, the term has evolved to include deceitful actions of pretending to be someone else for fraudulent purposes.