Meaning & Definition of word "Imposter"

Imposter

/ɪmˈpɒstə/

1. A person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others.
- Example: The imposter posed as a doctor to gain access to the hospital.
2. Someone who assumes a false identity.
- Example: The imposter was eventually caught when he couldn't answer basic questions about the role he claimed to have.
3. A person who uses deception to achieve a personal or financial gain.
- Example: After months of investigation, the police arrested the imposter who had been scamming people out of money.

●From French 'imposteur', from Latin 'impostor', meaning 'one who imposes'.

imposter syndrome:

A psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their accomplishments and has a persistent fear of being exposed as a 'fraud'.

imposter complex:

Feeling like a fraud or imposter despite evident success.

fraud:

A deceptive practice intended to secure unfair or unlawful gain.

deceiver:

One who causes someone to believe something that is not true.

Meaning: Poser

● Example Sentence: Don't be a poser; just be yourself.

Meaning: Fake

● Example Sentence: That guy is such a fake; he's not who he claims to be.