impersonate
Definitions
To imitate or copy another person, especially for entertainment.
模仿，扮演（尤指为娱乐）
To pretend to be someone else in order to deceive.
冒充，假冒
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedim- (into) + person + -ate (to make/do) = 'to put oneself into another person's mask.' That literal image covers both senses at once: a comedian impersonates a star for laughs, a fraudster impersonates an officer to deceive. Careful — this im- means 'into,' the opposite of the im- in impersonal ('not').
Root person still carries 15 more wordsWhy It Means This
impersonate makes the mask of persōna literal. The same act — wearing someone else's face — splits by intent: harmless mimicry on stage, or criminal deception (impersonating a police officer is a crime). The word itself stays neutral; the context decides whether it's a comedy act or a con.
Common Collocations
- 1.impersonate a celebrity模仿名人
- 2.impersonate an officer冒充警官
- 3.impersonate someone online在网上冒充他人
- 4.skilled at impersonating擅长模仿
Example Sentences
- 1.
He can impersonate the president well enough to fool a crowd.
- 2.
The scammer impersonated a bank official to steal her savings.
- 3.
It is a serious offense to impersonate a police officer.
Easily Confused
impersonate vs imitate — imitate is broad (copy anything: a style, a sound, a gesture). impersonate is narrower: take on a specific person's identity, to entertain or deceive. You imitate an accent; you impersonate a celebrity.