French word

imposteur

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛ̃pɔstœʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounimpostor

Example

C'est un imposteur.

He is an impostor.

Illustration for imposteur (impostor)

More examples

Ils ont finalement démasqué l'imposteur.

They finally unmasked the impostor.

Core concept

A false claimant using a made-up status or ability as a mask for gaining trust and opportunity.

Common phrases

  • démasquer un imposteur

    unmask an impostor

  • être pris pour un imposteur

    be taken for an impostor

Similar words

escroc: A person who uses lies or tricks to take money or property from others.
charlatan: A person who deceives others by falsely claiming expertise or effective remedies.
arnaqueur: A person who deceives others through a planned fraud.

Definition in French

Personne qui prétend faussement posséder un titre, une compétence ou une identité afin de duper d'autres personnes.

Word origin

French borrowed imposteur from Medieval Latin impostor, formed from Latin imponere, whose meanings included imposing something on another person and deceiving.

Usage tips

  • The feminine noun is usually impostrice, so une impostrice is standard when referring to a woman.

Other meanings

  • fraudsternoun
  • con artistnoun

Opposites

  • personne intègrehonest personnoun

Related words

  • impostureimposturenoun

Word lists with this word