impersonate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to assume the character or appearance of; pretend to be.
He was arrested for impersonating a police officer.
-
to mimic the voice, mannerisms, etc., of (a person) in order to entertain.
-
to act or play the part of; personate.
-
Archaic. to represent in personal or bodily form; personify; typify.
adjective
verb
-
to pretend to be (another person)
-
to imitate the character, mannerisms, etc, of (another person)
-
rare to play the part or character of
-
an archaic word for personify
Other Word Forms
- impersonation noun
- impersonator noun
Etymology
Origin of impersonate
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Other counterprotesters mockingly impersonated billionaires by donning crowns or top hats.
From Los Angeles Times
I looked at the young man, a boy, really, younger than me, and of a far lower rank than the soldier I was so poorly impersonating.
From Literature
A man accused of impersonating a federal agent in a bid to allegedly free Luigi Mangione, the man accused of gunning down the CEO of United Healthcare in 2024, has been arrested.
From BBC
The scheme, outlined in court documents, bears striking similarities to the 2002 DiCaprio film in which a charming teenager running from the FBI impersonates a pilot to jet around the world.
From BBC
Overall, nearly 100 offenders were prosecuted for trying to cheat themselves or for impersonating driving test candidates.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
