impersonate

C1 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ɪmˈpɜːsəneɪt/ See IPA manual

Freq #25720

Meanings

1

verb
To pretend to be another person, especially to deceive others.

The conman managed to impersonate several company executives.
2

verb
To copy someone's voice and manner, often for entertainment.

The comedian can impersonate the famous singer perfectly.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to pretend to be another... personate pose

2 verb · to copy someone's voice and... portray

Word family

Forms impersonatedimpersonatesimpersonating

Derived forms impersonation impersonatorunimpersonated

Simplified etymology

Impersonate was first recorded in the early 17th century with the meaning “personify.” It derives from the family of Latin persona, “actor’s mask,” “character in a play,” or “human being,” which also produced person and persona.

Etymology

From im- + person (verb-forming suffix) + -ate.

Topics

Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# impersonate

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ɪmˈpɜːsəneɪt/
**Frequency rank:** 25720

## Meanings
1. To pretend to be another person, especially to deceive others.
2. To copy someone's voice and manner, often for entertainment.

## Examples
- The conman managed to impersonate several company executives.
- The comedian can impersonate the famous singer perfectly.

## Derived Forms
- impersonation
- impersonator
- unimpersonated

## Etymology
From im- + person (verb-forming suffix) + -ate.

## AI Etymology
Impersonate is from im- + person (verb-forming suffix) + -ate. The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern verbal form is built from the named base and affix. In present-day use, it can mean to pretend to be another person, especially to deceive others, or to copy someone's voice and manner, often for entertainment. Derived formations include impersonation, impersonator, unimpersonated.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes
- Word Formation & Derivatives

markdown