impostor

im·pos·tor

noun \im-ˈpäs-tər\

Definition of IMPOSTOR

: one that assumes false identity or title for the purpose of deception

Variants of IMPOSTOR

im·pos·tor or im·pos·ter \im-ˈpäs-tər\

Examples of IMPOSTOR

1. He claimed he was an experienced pilot, but he turned out to be an impostor.
2. <the man who claimed to be a prince turned out to be an impostor>

Origin of IMPOSTOR

Late Latin impostor, from Latin imponere

First Known Use: 1564

Related to IMPOSTOR

Synonyms

charlatan, fake, faker, fakir, fraud, hoaxer, humbug, mountebank, phony (also phoney), pretender, quack, quacksalver, ringer, sham

Related Words

copycat, imitator, impersonator, mimic; actor, bluffer, counterfeiter, deceiver, dissembler, duper, feigner, misleader, operator, trickster; poseur; cozener, defrauder, dodger, fraudster [chiefly British], scammer, scamster, sharper, sharpie (or sharpy), skinner, swindler

Near Antonyms

ace, adept, authority, crackerjack (also crackajack), expert, maestro, master, past master, professional, virtuoso, whiz, wizard