impersonative

impersonative

A teacher uses an impersonative voice to bring a historical figure to life for her students.

Definition

Adjective

  1. Relating to impersonation: "impersonative" describes something that involves or is characterized by the act of imitating or pretending to be another person, especially for entertainment or deception.

    • Example: His impersonative skills were so good that the audience believed he was the real celebrity.
  2. Tending to assume another's identity: "impersonative" can refer to a person or performance that habitually or effectively takes on the role or appearance of someone else.

    • Example: The comedian's impersonative routine included perfect imitations of several politicians.
Usage Examples
  • (His ability to imitate real people was highly valued.)
  • (Her imitation of another person was extremely accurate.)
  • (The deception relied on assuming a false identity.)
Advanced Usage
  • "impersonative art": a form of performance where the artist mimics or embodies another person.

    • Impersonative art has a long history in theatre, from ancient Greek mimes to modern impressionists. (Art that involves imitation of others.)
  • "impersonative fraud": a legal term for deception achieved by pretending to be someone else.

    • The court convicted him of impersonative fraud after he posed as a doctor. (Fraud committed through impersonation.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Impersonate (verb): to pretend to be another person.

    • She can impersonate the president perfectly. (She mimics the president's voice and mannerisms.)
  • Impersonation (noun): the act of imitating someone else.

    • His impersonation of the singer was hilarious. (His imitation was very funny.)
  • Impersonator (noun): a person who impersonates others, especially as a performer.

    • The impersonator appeared on television as the prime minister. (A performer who imitates famous people.)
Synonyms
  • Imitative: tending to copy or mimic.
    • His imitative style is very convincing. (He copies others well.)
  • Mimetic: relating to imitation, especially in art or performance.
    • The mimetic dance accurately portrayed a bird in flight. (The dance imitated a bird.)
  • Posing: assuming a false identity or appearance.
    • She was charged with posing as a police officer. (She pretended to be a police officer.)
Related Idioms
  • Put on a mask: to adopt a false personality or identity.

    • He put on a mask of confidence, though he was nervous. (He pretended to be confident.)
  • Wear another's hat: to take on the role or identity of someone else.

    • In the play, she wore another's hat and became a queen. (She acted as a queen.)