Imposter Meaning and Spelling | Generated by AI
Question: What does “imposter” mean?
Answer:
“Imposter” (more commonly spelled “impostor”) is a noun referring to a person who pretends to be someone else, typically to deceive others, assume a false identity, or gain some advantage.
Key Definition
- A person who practices deception by assuming a false character, identity, title, or name. For example: “The man claiming to be a doctor was revealed to be an imposter.”
Spelling Note
Both “imposter” and “impostor” are correct and accepted in English dictionaries, but “impostor” is the preferred and more traditional spelling (originating from Late Latin impostor, meaning “deceiver”). “Imposter” is a common variant, especially in American English, but slightly less formal.
Common Usage
- Often appears in phrases like impostor syndrome (or imposter syndrome), a psychological pattern where high-achieving individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as a “fraud.”
References:
- IMPOSTOR Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
- IMPOSTOR definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary
- Imposter - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com
- Imposter vs. impostor - Grammarist
- Impostor syndrome - Wikipedia