impersonate
gb/ɪmpˈɚsənˌeɪt/ us/ɪmpˈɚsənˌeɪt/
B2
English
kiadja magát valakinek, utánoz
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] impersonates [someone] (to [do something])
Someone impersonated a bank employee and persuaded her to share her password.
Valaki banki alkalmazottnak adta ki magát, és rávette, hogy megadja a jelszavát.
He was arrested for impersonating a police officer to get into the building.
Azért tartóztatták le, mert rendőrnek adta ki magát, hogy bejusson az épületbe.
The email looked official, but it was sent by a scammer impersonating the company’s support team.
Learner examples
He tried to impersonate my friend online.
Megpróbálta a barátomnak kiadni magát az interneten.
Do not impersonate another person.
Ne add ki magad másnak.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse impersonate (pretend to be a specific person) with imitate (copy someone’s style or behavior, often for fun).
Meaning
pretend to be someone else
Collocations
impersonate a police officer
|impersonate an official
|impersonate a customer
|impersonate a bank employee
|impersonate the CEO
|impersonate another user
|impersonate someone online
|impersonate someone on social media
|impersonate an account holder
|impersonate a caller
Synonyms
pose as (Common in fraud contexts; emphasizes deception.)
|
pretend to be (More general and less formal.)
|
pass oneself off as (Stresses trying to convince others of a false identity.)
Antonyms
identify oneself (To state who you really are instead of taking a false identity.)
|
reveal one's identity (To disclose the real person behind an account or disguise.)
Themes
crime
|technology
|law
|security
Definition
to act like you are another person, usually to trick people
To pretend to be another person, especially in order to deceive people or gain an advantage.
VERB
B2
2
utánoz
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] impersonates [someone]
In the sketch, she impersonated the mayor’s voice and gestures.
A jelenetben utánozta a polgármester hangját és mozdulatait.
He can impersonate famous singers so well that people close their eyes and believe it’s real.
Olyan jól tudja utánozni a híres énekeseket, hogy az emberek lehunyják a szemüket, és azt hiszik, tényleg ők énekelnek.
The comedian impersonated several celebrities during the show.
Learner examples
She can impersonate her teacher.
Tudja utánozni a tanárát.
He impersonated a famous actor.
Egy híres színészt utánozott.
Common mistake:
Impersonate focuses on copying a specific person; mimic can be broader (sounds, animals, movements) and do an impression is a common informal alternative.
Meaning
imitate a person for entertainment
Collocations
impersonate a celebrity
|impersonate a politician
|impersonate a singer
|impersonate an actor
|impersonate a public figure
|impersonate someone’s voice
|impersonate someone’s accent
|impersonate someone perfectly
|impersonate someone on stage
|impersonate someone for a sketch
Synonyms
imitate (Broader; can apply to style or behavior as well as a person.)
|
mimic (Often emphasizes copying voice or small mannerisms.)
|
do an impression of (Common and informal; strongly linked to comedy.)
Antonyms
be oneself (To act naturally as your real self, not copying another person.)
Themes
arts
|media
|humor
|performance
Definition
to copy the way someone speaks or acts, usually to make people laugh
To copy a particular person’s voice, manner, or appearance in order to entertain people or show skill.
Grammar
Dictionary form
impersonate
IPA
GB/ɪmpˈɚsənˌeɪt/
US/ɪmpˈɚsənˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
im - per - son - ate (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (per)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: impersonate
- 3rd Person Singular: impersonates
- Present Participle: impersonating
- Past: impersonated
Word family
Forms
impersonates
verb
impersonating
verb
impersonated
verb
Core family
impersonation
noun C1
impersonator
noun B2
Related words
persona
noun
Expressions
impersonate a celebrity
1/ɪmpˈɚsənˌeɪt ə səlˈɛbɹɪti/
fixed phrase
act like a famous person
to copy a famous person for fun or performance
Examples
- At the party, he impersonated a celebrity and everyone recognized the voice.
- The show invites contestants to impersonate a celebrity on stage.
- She became popular for impersonating celebrities in short videos.
Learner examples
- He can impersonate a celebrity very well.
impersonate a police officer
1/ɪmpˈɚsənˌeɪt ə pəlˈis ˈɔfɪsɚ/
fixed phrase
legal
pretend to be a police officer
to pretend you are a police officer (often a crime)
Examples
- He was charged with impersonating a police officer after stopping drivers on the highway.
- The scam involved callers impersonating a police officer and demanding payment.
- It is a serious offense to impersonate a police officer.
Learner examples
- He was arrested for impersonating a police officer.
impersonate someone online
1/ɪmpˈɚsənˌeɪt sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈɔnlˌaɪn/
fixed phrase
use another identity online
to pretend to be another person on the internet
Examples
- Someone is impersonating me online and messaging my contacts.
- The platform removed accounts that impersonated public figures online.
- She reported the profile for impersonating her online.
Learner examples
- Someone impersonated my brother online.