mime

1 of 3

noun

ˈmīm 

 also  ˈmēm

1

: an ancient dramatic entertainment representing scenes from life usually in a ridiculous manner

2

a

: an actor in a mime

b

: one that practices mime

3

: mimic sense 2

4

: pantomime sense 3

mime

2 of 3

verb

mimed; miming

intransitive verb

: to act a part with mimic gesture and action usually without words

transitive verb

1

: mimic

2

: to act out in the manner of a mime

mimer noun

MIME

3 of 3

abbreviation

multipurpose Internet mail extensions

Synonyms

Noun

• mimic
• mummer
• pantomime
• pantomimist

Verb

• ape
• copy
• copycat
• emulate
• imitate
• mimic

Examples of mime in a Sentence

Noun

an actor with a gift for mime

a performance done in mime

an actor who is a talented mime

Verb

He mimed playing a guitar.

She mimed picking up the phone and dialing a number.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

After all, Miuccia Prada has a PhD in political science, trained at The Piccolo Teatro di Milano, and performed as a mime artist for five years before entering family business founded by her grandfather in 1913. —Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

During one portion of the opening event, a crew of breakdancing mimes used massive Louis Vuitton trunks as part of their chaotic choreography. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 26 July 2024

Verb

Further footage sees the Grammy-winner miming an air guitar and dancing to the music while her NFL star boyfriend grooves along with her. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 10 Sep. 2024

One video, taken by a migrant trapped inside the hotel and shared by a journalist at The Times, shows a rioter miming the cutting of a neck. —Armani Syed/london, TIME, 5 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin mimus, from Greek mimos

First Known Use

Noun

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1728, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

mime

1 of 2 noun

ˈmīm 

ˈmēm

1

a

: an actor in a mime

b

: a person who practices mime

2

: mimic sense 2

3

: an ancient play or skit representing scenes from life usually in a ridiculous manner

4

: the art of showing a character or telling a story by body movements

mime

2 of 2 verb

mimed; miming

1

: to act in a mime

2

: to imitate closely : mimic

3

: to act out in the manner of a mime