mimic

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˈmɪmɪk/ 🇺🇸 /ˈmɪmɪk/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A person who imitates or copies the behavior, speech, or mannerisms of others, often for entertainment or mockery.; An animal or plant that resembles another species in appearance, behavior, or other characteristics, typically as a form of protection (mimicry).; A person who is skilled at imitating others; an imitator.
  2. verb
    To imitate or copy the appearance, behavior, or characteristics of someone or something, often for humorous or deceptive effect.; To resemble or simulate something closely, especially in appearance or function.; To mock or ridicule by imitating someone in a derisive manner.
  3. adjective
    Relating to or involving imitation; imitative.; Simulated or artificial; not real but made to resemble something genuine.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: mimics 3rd sing.: mimics Past: mimicked Past part.: mimicked Pres part.: mimicking

Collocations

mimic someone's voicemimic the behaviora gifted mimicmimic the movementsmimic the style

Derivatives

mimicrymimeticmimicker

Synonyms

imitatecopyapeemulateimpersonatesimulate

Antonyms

originatecreate

Commonly confused

mime
EN: 'Mime' refers to a performer who uses gestures without speech; 'mimic' means to imitate or copy someone's mannerisms or voice.
mimicry
EN: 'Mimicry' is the noun denoting the act or ability of imitating; 'mimic' is the verb or the person who imitates.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember that the final 'c' changes to 'ck' before endings starting with 'e' or 'i': 'mimicked' and 'mimicking' (NOT 'mimiced' or 'mimicing').

💬 Examples

  1. He was a brilliant mimic who could do impressions of every celebrity on television.

  2. The viceroy butterfly is a mimic of the monarch, gaining protection from predators.

  3. She is a natural mimic and can pick up any accent after hearing it just once.

  4. The comedian mimicked the president's voice and gestures perfectly.

  5. The software mimics the behavior of a real operating system.

  6. The children mimicked their teacher behind her back, exaggerating her strict tone.

  7. The play featured a mimic representation of court life that satirized the aristocracy.

  8. The soldiers participated in a mimic battle as part of their training exercise.