Wannabee

A 'wannabee' is a person who aspires to be like someone or something else, often mimicking their behavior, appearance, or interests, but lacking the genuine experience, skill, or authenticity. They frequently exhibit a superficial imitation, driven by a desire for the status, recognition, or perceived benefits associated with their chosen role model or aspiration. The term often implies a degree of inauthenticity or a lack of genuine understanding of the object of their imitation. It can be applied across various contexts, from career aspirations to lifestyle choices, and is sometimes used pejoratively, implying a lack of originality or true talent.

Wannabee meaning with examples

• He's such a wannabee rockstar, constantly wearing leather jackets and strumming a guitar, though he can barely play a chord. He's desperate for the image, but doesn't put in the effort to develop the actual musical skills needed. He is always trying to get into all the cool gigs, to get people to think he's some sort of rock god.
• Sarah is a wannabee fashionista. She buys all the latest designer brands and tries to replicate runway looks, but her understanding of style and aesthetic is shallow. She is constantly trying to create looks that are out of her reach or that simply don't look good together because she does not understand style.
• The aspiring chef, a wannabee gourmet cook, spent hours watching cooking shows, attempting intricate dishes with little success. His cooking was not as good as he claimed. He'd use the same words, but his meals never tasted as good as the people he wanted to be like.
• John, a wannabee athlete, always bragged about his athletic prowess, but he rarely trained seriously. He was too busy looking like he was good at things to do the actual training. He was always telling everyone how great he was, with no proof to back it up.
• She's a wannabee social media influencer, constantly posting filtered selfies and copying popular trends, hoping to gain followers. She wanted to feel as popular as them. However, her content lacks substance and originality, resulting in limited engagement from her audience.