1. the act of pretending to be someone else, especially for fraudulent purposes
Usage: legal
2. the representation of a character in a play or performance
Usage: theatrical; formal

Examples

• The defendant was charged with personation of a police officer.
• His personation of the famous actor was remarkably convincing.
• The law prohibits personation for the purpose of voting fraud.
• Her personation of Lady Macbeth earned critical acclaim.
• Identity theft often involves personation of the victim.
• The actor’s personation brought the historical figure to life.