impersonator
gb/ɪmpˈɚsəneɪtɚ/ us/ɪmpˈɚsəneɪtɚ/
B2
English
sztárimitátor, imitátor, magát másnak kiadó csaló, utánzó
NOUN
B2
1
imitátor
B2
Usage pattern:
an impersonator (of) [celebrity/person]
The club hired an Elvis impersonator for the weekend show.
A klub egy Elvis-imitátort fogadott fel a hétvégi műsorra.
She’s a gifted impersonator who can mimic several pop stars’ voices.
Tehetséges sztárimitátor, több popsztár hangját is képes utánozni.
The impersonator walked on stage in costume and copied the singer’s gestures perfectly.
Learner examples
He is an impersonator in a show.
Egy műsorban sztárimitátorként szerepel.
The impersonator sounds like the famous actor.
Az imitátor hangja olyan, mint a híres színészé.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse impersonator (copying a person) with impersonation (the act) or with impostor (someone pretending to be someone else to trick people).
Meaning
performer who imitates a celebrity
Collocations
celebrity impersonator
|professional impersonator
|Elvis impersonator
|look-alike impersonator
|voice impersonator
|stage impersonator
|impersonator act
|impersonator show
|impersonator contest
|convincing impersonator
Synonyms
imitator (More general; not always a full character performance.)
|
look-alike (Focuses on appearance more than voice or behavior.)
Antonyms
original (The real person being copied, not a copy.)
Themes
entertainment
|performing_arts
|music
|comedy
Definition
a person who acts like a famous person for fun or a show
A performer who copies a well-known person’s voice, appearance, and mannerisms for entertainment.
NOUN
C1
2
Usage pattern:
an impersonator posing as [someone/role]
The caller turned out to be an impersonator pretending to be from the bank.
Kiderült, hogy a telefonáló egy magát banki alkalmazottnak kiadó csaló volt.
Police warned residents about an impersonator going door to door claiming to be an officer.
A rendőrség figyelmeztette a lakókat egy házról házra járó csalóra, aki rendőrnek adta ki magát.
The company shut down several impersonator accounts on social media.
Learner examples
An impersonator called me and asked for my password.
Felhívott egy csaló, aki másnak adta ki magát, és elkérte a jelszavamat.
The police caught the impersonator.
A rendőrség elfogta a magát másnak kiadó csalót.
Common mistake:
Impersonator often implies copying a particular person; impostor can be broader for someone pretending to belong or be qualified.
Meaning
person who pretends to be another
Collocations
police impersonator
|bank impersonator
|government impersonator
|online impersonator
|phone impersonator
|impersonator scam
|impersonator account
|impersonator email
|arrest an impersonator
|catch an impersonator
Synonyms
impostor (Common for someone pretending to be someone else or to have a role; not always tied to a specific identity.)
|
fraudster (Emphasizes criminal deception for money or advantage.)
Antonyms
legitimate representative (A real, authorized person rather than a fake.)
Themes
crime
|security
|technology
|law
Definition
someone who pretends to be another person to trick people
A person who falsely claims to be someone else, especially in order to deceive or commit a crime.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
an impersonator of [someone]
He’s an impersonator who can do perfect impressions of his teachers.
Remek utánzó, tökéletesen le tudja utánozni a tanárait.
At the party, she became the impersonator and copied everyone’s catchphrases.
A buliban ő kezdett el mindenkit utánozni, és lemásolta mindenki jellegzetes szófordulatait.
His friends loved him because he was such a funny impersonator.
Learner examples
My brother is an impersonator and makes us laugh.
A bátyám remek imitátor, és mindig megnevettet minket.
She is good at impersonating our teacher.
Jól utánozza a tanárunkat.
Common mistake:
In casual contexts, people often say impressionist or mimic instead of impersonator.
Meaning
person who mimics someone humorously
Collocations
great impersonator
|skilled impersonator
|do an impersonator bit
|impersonator routine
|a spot-on impersonator
|office impersonator
|family impersonator
|impersonator voice
|impersonator impression
|natural impersonator
Synonyms
mimic (Common and simple; focuses on copying sounds and mannerisms.)
|
impressionist (Often used for comedians doing famous voices and characters.)
Antonyms
individualist (Emphasizes having one’s own distinct style rather than copying others.)
Themes
comedy
|social_life
|communication
Definition
someone who copies another person’s voice or style, often as a joke
A person who copies another person’s way of speaking or behaving, often to amuse others.
Grammar
Dictionary form
impersonator
IPA
GB/ɪmpˈɚsəneɪtɚ/
US/ɪmpˈɚsəneɪtɚ/
Syllables & stress
im - per - son - at - or (5 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (per)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: impersonator
- Plural: impersonators
Word family
Forms
impersonators
noun
Core family
impersonate
verb B2
impersonation
noun C1
Related words
imposter
noun
impostor
noun
Expressions
celebrity impersonator
1/səlˈɛbɹɪti ɪmpˈɚsəneɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
performer who imitates a celebrity
a performer who acts like a famous person
Examples
- They booked a celebrity impersonator to host the awards-night party.
- A celebrity impersonator greeted guests at the entrance and posed for photos.
Learner examples
- We saw a celebrity impersonator at the show.
impersonator account
1/ɪmpˈɚsəneɪtɚ əkˈaʊnt/
fixed phrase
fake social media profile
a fake online account that pretends to be someone
Examples
- She reported an impersonator account that was using her photos and name.
- The platform removed several impersonator accounts after the complaint.
Learner examples
- This is not my friend’s page—it is an impersonator account.
impersonator scam
1/ɪmpˈɚsəneɪtɚ skˈæm/
fixed phrase
fraud using a fake identity
a trick where someone pretends to be someone else to steal from you
Examples
- The email was part of an impersonator scam targeting new employees.
- Banks warn customers about impersonator scams that ask for one-time codes.
Learner examples
- Do not share your code—this could be an impersonator scam.
police impersonator
1/pəlˈis ɪmpˈɚsəneɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
person pretending to be police
someone who pretends to be a police officer
Examples
- The victims handed over cash to a police impersonator at the door.
- Authorities urged people to report any suspected police impersonator immediately.
Learner examples
- A police impersonator stopped cars on the road.