mimic

1 of 3

noun

mim·​ic ˈmi-mik 

1

: mime sense 2

She's a talented mimic.

2

: one that mimics

mimic

2 of 3

adjective

1

a

: imitative

b

: imitation, mock

a mimic battle

2

: of or relating to mime or mimicry

mimic

3 of 3

verb

mimicked ˈmi-mikt  ; mimicking

transitive verb

1

: to imitate closely : ape

He mimicked her accent.

2

: to ridicule by imitation

The comic mimicked the president's mannerisms.

3

: simulate

vegetable dishes that mimic meat

—Carolone Bates

4

: to resemble by biological mimicry

a butterfly that mimics a leaf

Synonyms

Noun

• imitator
• impersonator
• impressionist
• personator

Adjective

• artificial
• bogus
• dummy
• ersatz
• factitious
• fake
• false
• faux
• imitation
• imitative
• man-made
• mock
• pretend
• sham
• simulated
• substitute
• synthetic

Verb

• burlesque
• caricature
• do
• imitate
• mock
• parody
• send up
• spoof
• travesty

Choose the Right Synonym for mimic

copy, imitate, mimic, ape, mock mean to make something so that it resembles an existing thing.

copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.

copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.

imitate a poet's style

mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation.

pupils mimicking their teacher

ape may suggest presumptuous, unoriginal, or inept imitating of a superior original.

American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

mock usually implies imitation with derision.

mocking a vain man's pompous manner

Examples of mimic in a Sentence

Noun

a gifted mimic who can do a terrific imitation of anyone's voice

a mimic in black clothes and white facial makeup

Adjective

police were concerned that the mimic gun, although intended only as a toy, might be confused with the real thing in certain situations

a mimic battle fought by kids playing around in the schoolyard

Verb

The lamp mimics natural sunlight.

a butterfly that mimics a leaf

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Some researchers find that red light therapy, for example, is a hormesis mimic that could help heal the body. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 22 Oct. 2024

Donald Trump is a difficult figure for Hollywood’s mimics. —Constance Grady, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

Adjective

That is, the mimic leaves were longer, and less lobed. —Ari Daniel, NPR, 14 Sep. 2024

Sting is also a mimic, able to copy Charlotte’s whistle, even though, as the slightly creepy would-be scientist living upstairs tells her, spiders don’t have vocal cords. —Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024

Verb

The invitation-only sailing club has a contemporary clubhouse designed by Sir Norman Foster to mimic the sleek lines of the superyachts moored in the adjacent harbor. —Stefanie Waldek, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2024

Belts under each wheel and a longer fifth belt beneath the entire vehicle move to help mimic road travel while the vehicle remains stationary. —Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Noun, and Verb

Latin mimicus, from Greek mimikos, from mimos mime

First Known Use

Noun

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

mimic

1 of 3 noun

mim·​ic ˈmim-ik 

1

: mime entry 1 sense 1

2

: one that mimics

mimic

2 of 3 adjective

1

: imitative sense 2

2

: imitation entry 2, mock

mimic

3 of 3 verb

mimicked ˈmim-ikt  ; mimicking

1

: to imitate closely

2

: to make fun of by imitating

3

: to resemble by biological mimicry

an insect that mimics a leaf

Medical Definition

mimic

1 of 2 noun

mim·​ic ˈmim-ik 

: one that mimics

a mimic of a naturally occurring hormone

mimic

2 of 2 transitive verb

mimicked -ikt  ; mimicking

: to imitate or resemble closely: as

a

: to imitate the symptoms of

an acute inflammatory process located in the ileocecal region mimics acute appendicitis

—Merck Manual

b

: to produce an effect and especially a physiological effect similar to

chemically unrelated to the hormone that it mimics

—Chemical & Engineering News