Impersonation is the act of pretending to be someone else by copying their voice, mannerisms, and behavior. When a comedian does an impersonation of a famous person, they mimic how that person talks, moves, and acts to make the audience laugh. A good impersonation captures what someone sounds like, along with their distinctive gestures, expressions, and way of speaking.

Impersonation can be done for entertainment, like when actors perform impersonations on comedy shows, or when friends playfully impersonate their teachers. Professional impersonators sometimes perform as famous musicians or historical figures at parties and events.

However, impersonation becomes serious when someone does it to deceive others. Impersonating a police officer or doctor is illegal because it tricks people into trusting someone who hasn't earned that authority. Online, criminals sometimes impersonate banks or companies to steal information, which is called fraud. The key difference between harmless and harmful impersonation is the intent: entertainment versus deception.