What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
imposter
Example
The man was arrested for posing as a doctor and treating patients without a license. [imposter: noun]
Example
She felt like an imposter at the conference because she had exaggerated her qualifications on her resume. [imposter: adjective]
fake
Example
The painting turned out to be a fake, not an original masterpiece. [fake: adjective]
Example
He was caught selling fake designer handbags on the street corner. [fake: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fake is more commonly used than imposter in everyday language. Fake is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while imposter is less common and is often used in more formal or legal settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between imposter and fake?
While imposter is typically associated with a formal or legal tone, fake is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
