wannabe
Envious social climber
Wannabe is someone who aspires to be something they're not, often used dismissively: a wannabe rock star, wannabe gangsters hanging around the corner.
The word suggests the person lacks the talent, credentials, or authenticity to become what they're imitating.
It works as both noun and adjective: wannabe influencers flooding social media.
From "want to be."
Illegitimate claimant to power
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- fakerOne who pretends
- impostorOne feigning another's identity
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
phony · sham · poseur · bluffer · front · show-off · name-dropper · affected
Feeling positive expectation
- up-and-comerPromising newcomer gaining ground
- candidatePerson seeking selection
- contenderOne competing seriously
- prospectPotential client or opportunity
pretender · striver · climber · seeker · pursuer · dreamer · yearner · hanger-on
One who mimics another
- knockoffUnauthorized replica product
- fakeNot the real thing
- phonyFraudulent person or thing
- pseudoNot genuinely that thing
lookalike · mimic · imitator · clone · carbon copy · replica · counterfeit · facsimile
Inexperienced newcomer to field
- rookieInexperienced newcomer
- greenhornInexperienced, gullible newcomer
- beginnerOne who lacks experience
- neophyteInexperienced beginner
dabbler · dilettante · hobbyist · weekend warrior · armchair · bedroom · self-taught · untrained
pretender
Illegitimate claimant to power
charlatan · phony · sham · poseur · bluffer · front · show-off · name-dropper · affected · tryhard
hopeful
Feeling positive expectation
- up-and-comerPromising newcomer gaining ground
- candidatePerson seeking selection
- contenderOne competing seriously
prospect · pretender · striver · climber · seeker · pursuer · dreamer · yearner · hanger-on · groupie
copycat
One who mimics another
pseudo · lookalike · mimic · imitator · clone · carbon copy · replica · counterfeit · facsimile · reproduction
novice
Inexperienced newcomer to field
- rookieInexperienced newcomer
- greenhornInexperienced, gullible newcomer
- beginnerOne who lacks experience
neophyte · dabbler · dilettante · hobbyist · weekend warrior · armchair · bedroom · self-taught · untrained · unpolished
wannabethe real thing
Authentic original version
genuine article · authentic · original · bona fide · professional
wannabeoriginal
First or inventive
individualist · nonconformist · self-assured · content · secure
wannabetrendsetter
One who initiates styles
original · icon · pioneer · innovator · trailblazer