Impersonate vs. Personate — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 3, 2023
"Impersonate" means to mimic or pretend to be another person, while "personate" is an outdated term referring to acting in character or, less commonly, to impersonate.
Difference Between Impersonate and Personate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Impersonate involves assuming another person's identity, often to entertain or deceive. Actors impersonate characters, mimicking mannerisms and speech. Conversely, "personate" is largely obsolete but sometimes refers to embodying a character in a dramatic performance or, rarely, an act of fraud.
To impersonate means to deliberately mimic or copy another individual's appearance, voice, or behavior, typically for performance purposes. The verb "personate," while it historically held a similar meaning, is seldom used in modern English and might be encountered in legal contexts pertaining to fraud.
Impersonators often seek to entertain by mimicking celebrities, historical figures, or other recognizable individuals. In contrast, personate, in its infrequent use, might refer to representing a character in a legal or formal scenario, or, in archaic usage, assuming someone's identity, similar to impersonate.
Impersonation can carry a legal implication when used in the context of fraud or deception under another's name. Personate is less likely to be recognized in general discourse but when used, it may occasionally refer to fraudulent representation without the nuances of performance art.
In current usage, impersonate is a familiar term, seen in contexts from entertainment to criminal identity theft. Personate remains a relic of earlier English usage and, when it appears, is often a form of impersonation in a legal or historical document.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To mimic or pretend to be someone else, often for entertainment.
Archaic term; to represent or act in a capacity, sometimes to impersonate in legal terms.
Modern Usage
Common in everyday language.
Rarely used, may be found in historical or legal contexts.
Connotation
Can be neutral, comedic, or illegal depending on context.
Often legalistic or outdated, associated with fraud or acting.
Related to Performance
Frequently relates to acting or comedy.
Historically related to acting, now more associated with assuming an identity falsely.
Legality
Can be legal in entertainment or illegal if for fraud.
Primarily associated with legal terms of fraudulent activity.
Compare with Definitions
Impersonate
To mimic the appearance and mannerisms of another person.
He was arrested for trying to impersonate a police officer.
Personate
To represent a character or person in a play (obsolete).
The actor personated the king in the school’s rendition of the play.
Impersonate
To imitate the voice or behavior of someone as an actor.
For the role, he had to impersonate a character from the 18th century.
Personate
To pretend to be someone else, often in a legal context.
The forger was found guilty of trying to personate the deceased.
Impersonate
To act as someone else, typically for entertainment.
She can impersonate many famous singers with stunning accuracy.
Personate
To embody a particular quality or condition (rarely used).
In the novel, the character personates virtue itself.
Impersonate
To represent oneself as another, often a public figure, in a performance.
The comedian is known for his ability to impersonate political leaders.
Personate
Acting or performing a role, usually in a formal or ceremonial capacity.
The emissary was chosen to personate the company at the international conference.
Impersonate
To assume the character or appearance of, especially fraudulently
Impersonate a police officer.
Personate
To play the role or portray the part of (a character).
Impersonate
To imitate the appearance, voice, or manner of; mimic
An entertainer who impersonates celebrities.
Personate
To assume the character or appearance of, especially fraudulently; impersonate.
Impersonate
(transitive) To pretend to be (a different person); to assume the identity of.
The conman managed to impersonate several executives.
Evil can and will always impersonate goodness.
Personate
Having two lips, with the throat closed by a prominent palate. Used of a corolla, such as that of the snapdragon.
Impersonate
To operate with the permissions of a different user account.
Personate
(transitive) To fraudulently portray another person; to impersonate.
Impersonate
To manifest in corporeal form; to personify.
Personate
(transitive) To portray a character (as in a play); to act.
Impersonate
To invest with personality; to endow with the form of a living being.
Personate
(transitive) To attribute personal characteristics to something; to personify.
Impersonate
To ascribe the qualities of a person to; to personify.
Personate
(transitive) To set forth in an unreal character; to disguise; to mask.
Impersonate
To assume, or to represent, the person or character of; to personate; as, he impersonated Macbeth.
Benedict impersonated his age.
Personate
To celebrate loudly; to extol; to praise.
Impersonate
Assume or act the character of;
She impersonates Madonna
The actor portrays an elderly, lonely man
Personate
Having the throat of a corolla nearly closed by a projection of the base of the lower lip (in a way reminiscent of a mask), as in the flower of the snapdragon.
Impersonate
Represent another person with comic intentions
Personate
To celebrate loudly; to extol; to praise.
In fable, hymn, or song so personatingTheir gods ridiculous.
Impersonate
Pretend to be someone you are not; sometimes with fraudulent intentions;
She posed as the Czar's daughter
Personate
To assume the character of; to represent by a fictitious appearance; to act the part of; hence, to counterfeit; to feign; as, he tried to personate his brother; a personated devotion.
Impersonate
To pretend to be another for the purpose of deception.
The scammer impersonated a bank official to gain access to accounts.
Personate
To set forth in an unreal character; to disguise; to mask.
Personate
To personify; to typify; to describe.
Personate
To play or assume a character.
Personate
Having the throat of a bilabiate corolla nearly closed by a projection of the base of the lower lip; masked, as in the flower of the snapdragon.
Personate
Pretend to be someone you are not; sometimes with fraudulent intentions;
She posed as the Czar's daughter
Personate
Attribute human qualities to something;
The Greeks personated their gods ridiculous
Personate
To assume the identity of another person, especially illegally (archaic usage).
He was charged with attempting to personate the heir to the estate.
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to impersonate someone?
To impersonate someone means to mimic or pretend to be that person, often in performance or for deceit.
Is personate a common term in modern English?
No, personate is an archaic term and is rarely used in modern English.
Can impersonation be legal?
Yes, impersonation is legal in the context of entertainment or satire but illegal if it involves fraud.
Could personate and impersonate be used interchangeably?
In historical contexts, they might have been, but in modern usage, they are not interchangeable.
Do impersonators need permission to mimic a public figure?
This depends on the context and local laws regarding likeness rights and satire.
What contexts might I see the word personate used?
Personate might be seen in legal contexts related to impersonation or in historical texts.
Does impersonating always involve dressing up as another person?
Not necessarily; it can involve voice mimicry or assuming someone else's persona without a costume.
What are the consequences of illegal impersonation?
They can include criminal charges, fines, and imprisonment.
Has personate become completely obsolete?
While rare, personate may still appear in legal jargon or in discussions of historical literature.
What is the origin of the word personate?
It comes from the Latin "personare," meaning "to sound through" (the mask of a character).
Is personate ever used in everyday conversation?
Very rarely, as it is largely considered an outdated term.
Are there professional impersonators?
Yes, there are entertainers and artists who specialize in impersonating famous figures.
Can the word personate be found in modern legal documents?
It's possible but uncommon, with "impersonate" being the more likely term.
Is impersonating a skill?
Yes, it requires talent to mimic another person's appearance, voice, and mannerisms accurately.
Can impersonation be a form of flattery?
Sometimes, when done in good taste, it can be seen as a form of homage or admiration.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
