# impostor syndrome

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɪmˈpɒstə ˈsɪndɹəʊm/

## Definitions
1. A psychological phenomenon in which a person is unable to internalize their accomplishments, remaining convinced that they do not deserve any accompanying success.

## Etymology
First observed as impostor phenomenon by Pauline R. Clance and Suzanne A. Imes in 1978.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/impostor-syndrome