impersonate

[im-pur-suh-neyt, im-pur-suh-nit]

verb (used with object)

impersonated, impersonating 

1. to assume the character or appearance of; pretend to be.

   He was arrested for impersonating a police officer.

2. to mimic the voice, mannerisms, etc., of (a person) in order to entertain.

3. to act or play the part of; personate.

4. Archaic.,  to represent in personal or bodily form; personify; typify.

adjective

Archaic or Literary.

1. embodied in a person; invested with personality.

impersonate

/ ɪmˈpɜːsəˌneɪt /

verb

1. to pretend to be (another person)

2. to imitate the character, mannerisms, etc, of (another person)

3. rare,  to play the part or character of

4. an archaic word for personify

Other Word Forms

• impersonation noun
• impersonator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of impersonate¹

First recorded in 1615–25; im- ¹ + person + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

A Kent couple have described their "terrifying" experience being conned out of nearly £30,000 by scammers who impersonated police.

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It tells the story of Mitchell's puzzle-writing misfit John Taylor, who agrees to impersonate his missing twin James in order to help his wife Lucy solve the mystery of his disappearance.

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Attackers then move through networks or escalate privileges to impersonate higher-level officials authorized to bid on loads or reroute shipments, McClain said, “all while appearing to be part of normal operations.”

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For his role in the scheme involving Michel, Low faces charges including conspiracy and impersonating foreign agents.

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She intended to obtain passage to England without having to pay a single kopek, all by impersonating a lady of great wealth and royal relations.

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Related Words

• act like www.thesaurus.com
• imitate 
• masquerade as www.thesaurus.com
• mimic 
• portray 
• pose as www.thesaurus.com