impersonation

/ɪmˌpɜːsəˈneɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˌpɜːrsəˈneɪʃn/ (ame, ipa)

impersonation — noun

  • impersonationsingular
  • impersonationsplural

1. the act of copying a person's voice, behaviour, or look in a performance, usuall

1.名詞C1
釋義

the act of copying a person's voice, behaviour, or look in a performance, usually to amuse other people.

例句

Hui opened the talent show with a funny impersonation of the principal.

impersonation of [person] in a performance

The crowd laughed when Sana's impersonation of the newsreader copied every pause.

同義詞
  • impression

    common for a spoken or comic performance, especially of a famous person

  • imitation

    broader and more neutral; not always a staged performance

  • parody

    usually adds stronger exaggeration or satire than a straightforward impersonation

文法句型

do an impersonation of [person]

a funny impersonation of [person]

[person]'s impersonation of [person]

用法筆記

Usually appears with `of + person or character` and often refers to something done for an audience. Use sense 2 instead when the main point is fraud, access, or stealing trust.

常見錯誤

She did an impersonation to Elvis.
She did an impersonation of Elvis.
💡use 'of' before the person being copied.

2. the act of using another person's name or identity in order to fool people.

2.名詞C1
釋義

the act of using another person's name or identity in order to fool people.

例句

Noa was charged with impersonation after using her sister's student card.

charged with impersonation

Romi reported the caller for impersonation when he claimed to be her bank manager.

report someone for impersonation

同義詞
  • identity fraud

    focuses on the crime of using another person's identity for gain

  • masquerade

    more formal and broader; can describe any false role, not only a real identity

  • spoofing

    mainly used for digital or technical cases such as fake emails or accounts

文法句型

impersonation of [person]

charged with impersonation

report someone for impersonation

用法筆記

Common in legal, security, and online-fraud contexts. Use this sense when someone pretends to be a real person in order to get money, information, or access.

常見錯誤

The prank email was just an impersonation joke.
The prank email was a joke, not impersonation.
💡this sense is for deception, not harmless performance.