noun
impostor
ihm-POS-tuh
Impostor (noun) means someone who pretends to be another person in order to deceive people. Example: “The man turned out to be an impostor posing as a police officer.”
noun
1
Someone who pretends to be another person in order to deceive people.
"The man turned out to be an impostor posing as a police officer."
"She felt like an impostor at the conference, surrounded by real experts."
2
In video games and 3D graphics, a flat image made to look like a full 3D object from a distance.
"The game uses impostors for distant trees to save processing power."
How to use impostor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or something) pretending to be what it isn't.
Common mistake
Often misspelled "imposter" — both spellings are widely accepted, but "impostor" is the more traditional form.
Common pairings
an impostor syndrome
expose an impostor
pose as an impostor
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like impostor.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- impostors
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The man turned out to be an _____ posing as a police officer.
Etymology
From Middle French imposteur, ultimately from Latin impositor, "one who imposes" — related to the verb impose.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “impostor” mean?
The word “impostor” means someone who pretends to be another person in order to deceive people. In plain terms, someone (or something) pretending to be what it isn't.
How do you pronounce “impostor”?
“Impostor” is pronounced ihm-POS-tuh (/ɪmˈpɑstɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “impostor” in a sentence?
Here is “impostor” used in a sentence: “The man turned out to be an impostor posing as a police officer.”
What is another word for “impostor”?
Words with a similar meaning to “impostor” include impersonator.
What part of speech is “impostor”?
“Impostor” is a noun.
Where does the word “impostor” come from?
The word “impostor” comes from Latin. From Middle French imposteur, ultimately from Latin impositor, "one who imposes" — related to the verb impose.
How many meanings does “impostor” have?
“Impostor” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who pretends to be another person in order to deceive people.
