impersonation
|im-per-son-a-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌɪmpɚsəˈneɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ɪmˌpɜːsəˈneɪʃən/
acting as another person
Etymology
'impersonation' originates from Late Latin and Medieval Latin, specifically from the Late Latin verb 'impersonare' (to personate), formed from the prefix 'in-' meaning 'in, into' and Latin 'persona' meaning 'mask, character'.
'impersonation' changed from Medieval Latin 'impersonatio' and Old French/adapted forms into Middle English as 'impersonacioun'/'impersonaten', and eventually became the modern English noun 'impersonation'. The verb 'impersonate' entered English from these Late/Medieval Latin roots.
Initially it meant 'to put on a persona or mask (become a character)', but over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'imitating someone' (for entertainment) and 'pretending to be someone' (often to deceive).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act of imitating or copying someone's appearance, voice, or behavior, typically for entertainment (e.g., comedy or performance).
Her impersonation of the president had the audience laughing.
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Noun 2
the act of pretending to be another person, often with the intention to deceive or defraud (legal/criminological sense).
He was charged with impersonation after using someone else's identity to open accounts.
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Noun 3
a theatrical portrayal of a character; acting as someone else in a dramatic context.
The actor's impersonation of the historical figure was praised by critics.
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Last updated: 2025/12/22 01:01