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

Irwin talking up the merits of a mime is especially funny. —Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 17 Dec. 2024

The chorus to the song Swift’s dad, Scott, said was his favorite offers drum punches that mime the exclamation marks in the song title. —Bryan West, The Tennessean, 18 Apr. 2024

Verb

Cast members Mikey Day and Chloe Fineman join Short for the first skit of the night, all three caught in a face-off over a parking spot in which they’re forced to mime their insults and threats to one another from the comfort of their vehicles. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 22 Dec. 2024

In moments like that, Walker’s character might be miming about fisting, but The Big Gay Jamboree’s heart is on its sleeve. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Oct. 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