Impersonate Meaning
/ɪmˈpɜːsəneɪt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo pretend to be (a different person); to assume the identity of, especially when there is an intent to deceive.
verbTo operate with the permissions of a different user account.
Sentence Examples
Are you suggesting that we impersonate policemen?
Can you impersonate Tom?
CEFR Practice Quiz
The criminal tried to ____ a police officer by wearing a fake uniform.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The clever comedian can ____ the famous actor so well that it's actually quite scary.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Italic *n̥- Latin in-bor. Middle English in- English im- Latin persōna Anglo-Norman persouneder. Middle English persoun English person Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂tos Proto-Italic *-ātos Latin -ātuslbor. English -ate English impersonate From im- + person + -ate (verb-forming suffix).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The shepherds were impersonated, then the Magi, finally Herod himself. In course of time all the elements of a fully developed Nativity play had thus been introduced."
— 1918, Paul Studer, Le mystère d'Adam, an Anglo-Norman drama of the twelfth century:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The criminal tried to ____ a police officer by wearing a fake uniform.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The clever comedian can ____ the famous actor so well that it's actually quite scary.