impersonate
UK: ɪmˈpɜː.sən.eɪt | US: ɪmˈpɝː.sən.eɪt
vt. to pretend to be another person, typically for deception or entertainment
vt. to imitate the appearance, voice, or mannerisms of someone else
impersonate = im<in/into> + person<human> + ate<verb suffix>
- im<in/into>: Latin prefix meaning "into" or "toward," often implying transformation or mimicry.
- person<human>: From Latin persona (mask, character, human), originally referring to theatrical roles.
- ate<verb suffix>: Forms verbs indicating action (e.g., "activate," "narrate").
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin persona (mask), reflecting its theatrical roots. The prefix im- (variant of in-) suggests "assuming the role of," while -ate turns it into an action. Historically, it described actors embodying characters, later expanding to deceptive imitation.
The comedian can impersonate famous politicians flawlessly.
Hackers sometimes impersonate officials to steal sensitive data.
She was arrested for attempting to impersonate a doctor.
His talent to impersonate cartoon voices is uncanny.
The AI software can impersonate human speech patterns.