Word
impostor
Phoneticsim·pos·tor, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪmˈpɔstɝ/
UK/ɪmpˈɒstɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. someone who pretends to be a different person or to have a different identity. You use this when someone lies about who they are to trick others.
n. a person who assumes a false identity or pretends to be someone else. Often used in the context of social engineering or psychological conditions where the individual believes they are not who they are.
Examples
“The police arrested the impostor who tried to enter the building.”
“The impostor used a stolen passport to board the flight and was only caught after the pilot noticed the mismatched photo.”
“In the classic psychological study, the subject began to believe he was an impostor, convinced that his entire life was a series of borrowed identities rather than a genuine existence.”
Examples
simple
“The police arrested the impostor who tried to enter the building.”
contextual
“The impostor used a stolen passport to board the flight and was only caught after the pilot noticed the mismatched photo.”
complex
“In the classic psychological study, the subject began to believe he was an impostor, convinced that his entire life was a series of borrowed identities rather than a genuine existence.”
Real-World Examples
“Two more government ministers were targeted in 2022 , by an imposter pretending to be Ukraine's prime minister between 2020 and 2025, Denys Shmyhal.” “No 10 refused to say whether Burnham was embarrassed that he had communicated with the impostor, and declined to say if the messages were exchanged on WhatsApp.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French imposteur, respelled in the Latin manner; ultimately from Latin impositor, agent form of Latin imponere (“to impose”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/impostor