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DictionaryimpersonatePretending to be someone else
verb

impersonate

im-PUR-suh-nayt/ɪmˈpɜːrsəneɪt/

To pretend to be another person.

The comedian impersonates famous actors with uncanny voices and gestures.

East Asian performer puts on gray wig and copies portrait pose.
Etymology
imLatininto, in
+personLatinperson, assumed character
+ateEnglishform a verb

Here im- means “into,” and persona could mean an assumed dramatic character. The verb moved from representing something in bodily form to assuming another person's character, hence imitating that person's appearance or behavior.

In context

MooLer218:54
he's the easiest person to impersonate because the meme is you just say my cocaine and you start to sound like him
EFAP #249 - The React Wars - xQc VS. Ethan Klein with ShortFatOtaku and Sitch - BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS

More examples

  • The caller impersonated a bank employee to steal her password.
  • Can you impersonate your favorite singer?
  • Someone is impersonating me online using my name and photo.

Forms

impersonate · impersonates · impersonated · impersonating

impersonation noun — The act of pretending to be someone else.

impersonator noun — Someone who pretends to be another person.

Similar words

imitate
Copies someone's behavior without necessarily pretending to be that person.
pose
Used with “as” for adopting a false identity or role.