noun
impressionist
A performer who imitates famous people's voices or mannerisms.
The impressionist imitated the mayor’s distinctive voice.
Etymology
The performer’s name adds an occupation ending to impression. It identifies someone who produces recognizable likenesses of other people through voice, gesture, or manner.
More examples
- A talented impressionist performed after dinner.
- The audience recognized every celebrity the impressionist portrayed.
- She trained as a comic impressionist.
Forms
impressionist · impressionists
Similar words
- impersonator
- An impersonator adopts another person’s identity or appearance; an impressionist commonly imitates recognizable voices and gestures for entertainment.
- mimic
- A mimic copies sounds or behavior; an impressionist makes a performance of recognizable personalities.