What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
personation
Example
The lawyer was accused of personation for signing the contract on behalf of his client. [personation: noun]
Example
Her personation of the famous actress was spot-on and earned her rave reviews. [personation: noun]
Example
The ambassador's personation of his country's values and interests was well-received by the international community. [personation: noun]
impersonation
Example
The comedian's impersonation of the president was hilarious and spot-on. [impersonation: noun]
Example
He was arrested for impersonation after using someone else's credit card to make purchases. [impersonation: noun]
Example
The hacker used impersonation tactics to gain access to sensitive information. [impersonation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Impersonation is more commonly used than personation in everyday language, especially in entertainment contexts. Personation is less common and is usually used in legal or official contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between personation and impersonation?
Personation is typically associated with a formal and legal tone, while impersonation is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the context and intent.
