# impersonation

/ˌɪmpɝsəˈneɪʃən/ (US) · /ɪmpˌɜːsənˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/impersonation
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

the act of pretending to be someone else, usually to trick people or get something you want. It is often used when someone pretends to be a famous person or a police officer.

For teachers: the act of pretending to be another person, typically for fraudulent or deceptive purposes. Often involves the use of physical appearance, voice, or professional credentials to deceive others.

## Examples

- The actor's impersonation of the president was very realistic.
- The police arrested the man for impersonation after he tried to enter the bank as a security guard.
- The legal case centered on the defendant's sophisticated impersonation of a high-ranking official, which allowed him to bypass several layers of internal security before the breach was discovered.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.