Imposter vs Impostor
What’s the difference between them?
Imposter
Meaning:
A person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others.
Examples:
1. She was exposed as an imposter when it was discovered she had lied on her CV.
2. My boss caught the imposter trying to use my login credentials.
3. Everyone thought the imposter was a celebrity until they got up close and saw it wasn't them.
Impostor
Meaning:
A person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others.
Examples:
1. She felt like an impostor when walking into the high-class party.
2. He was exposed as an impostor when they discovered his true identity.
3. She was a master of disguise, no one suspected she was an impostor.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Imposter
1. Fraud
2. Charlatan
3. Impostor
4. Fake
5. Deceiver
1. Authentic
2. Legitimate
3. Honest
4. Real Deal
5. Genuine Person
Impostor
1. Fraud
2. Charlatan
3. Impostor
4. Fake
5. Deceiver
1. Authentic
2. Legitimate
3. Genuine
4. Real Deal
5. Aboveboard
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Imposter", "Impostor".
1. Both terms are interchangeable.
2. Most of the dictionaries consider both spelling as correct.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When should the word 'imposter' be used?
The word 'imposter' should be used when referring to a person who is pretending to be someone else in order to gain something or to deceive other people. It is usually used in contexts where the person's intention is fraudulent or dishonest.
When is the appropriate context for using the word 'impostor'?
The word 'impostor' is typically used when referring to a person who is disguising themselves to gain access to something that is not rightfully theirs. It can also be used when referring to someone who is pretending to be someone else in order to gain information or resources.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
Yes, the two words share the same pronunciation. Both words are pronounced 'im-POSS-ter'.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake people make when using these words is confusing the two words, or using them interchangeably. It's important to remember that while both words refer to a person pretending to be someone else, the word 'imposter' is used in a more general context while the word 'impostor' is more specific and implies a more malicious intent.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. She suspected her neighbour was an ______, so she contacted the police.
2. He was accused of being an ______ while attending the conference.
3. Joe was not who he said he was, he was an ______.
4. The ______ tried to gain access to the restricted area.
5. He was exposed as an ______ after a thorough investigation.
6. The ______ was caught when he used a fake identification card.
1. She suspected her neighbour was an imposter, so she contacted the police.
Explanation: An imposter is someone who pretends to be someone else, typically with the intent to deceive or defraud.
2. He was accused of being an impostor while attending the conference.
Explanation: An impostor is someone who assumes the identity of someone else, often to gain access to restricted areas or to commit a fraud.
3. Joe was not who he said he was, he was an imposter.
Explanation: An imposter is someone who deceives others by pretending to be someone else.
4. The imposter tried to gain access to the restricted area.
Explanation: An imposter is someone who tries to gain access to areas that are restricted or off-limits to the general public.
5. He was exposed as an impostor after a thorough investigation.
Explanation: An impostor is someone who is exposed as a fraud or someone who is pretending to be someone else after a thorough investigation.
6. The imposter was caught when he used a fake identification card.
Explanation: An imposter is someone who is caught when they use a false or fraudulent identification card to gain access to areas that are restricted or off-limits to the general public.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.