Definition

The act of pretending to be someone else, often to deceive others.

Example

He was charged with personation after trying to vote as someone else.

Conversation

Did you hear about that case of personation during the election?

Yeah, it's so wrong to pretend to be someone else like that.

Exactly! It really undermines the whole voting process.

I agree, everyone should vote honestly, no matter what.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Personation → It is formed from "persona" (from Latin, meaning mask or character) and "-ation" (a suffix used to form nouns indicating an action or resulting state). The word "personation" refers to the act of impersonating or assuming the character of another person.

Memory Tip

Think of 'persona' as a mask that someone wears to take on a different character — that's why personation means to act as someone else.

Visually Confused Words