impressionist

noun

im·​pres·​sion·​ist im-ˈpre-sh(ə-)nist 

1

often capitalized : someone (such as a painter) who practices or adheres to the theories of impressionism

2

: an entertainer who does impressions

Synonyms

• imitator
• impersonator
• mimic
• personator

Examples of impressionist in a Sentence

a celebrated impressionist who can do enough rapid-fire imitations to populate an entire stage with characters

Recent Examples on the Web

For the time being, Saturday Night Live viewers will have to settle for the show’s political impressionists. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Oct. 2024

But in the biggest surprise of the cold open, SNL master impressionist Dana Carvey returned to the show as President Joe Biden. —Jillian Sederholm, EW.com, 29 Sep. 2024

The Late Show and The Daily Show went live; Seth Meyers went to prime time; and Jimmy Kimmel went to his reserve team of impressionists. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2024

Stephen Baldwin: The youngest Baldwin brother endorsed Trump back in 2016 and in a 2017 interview said his brother and Trump impressionist Alec Baldwin hadn’t spoken to him since the election. —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

impressionist

noun

im·​pres·​sion·​ist im-ˈpresh-(ə-)nəst 

1

often capitalized : a person (as a painter) who practices impressionism

2

: an entertainer who does impressions