imitate

verb

im·i·tate ˈi-mə-ˌtāt

imitated; imitating

Synonyms of imitate next

transitive verb

: to follow as a pattern, model, or example

: mimic, counterfeit

can imitate his father's booming voice

: to be or appear like : resemble

: to produce a copy of : reproduce

imitator

ˈi-mə-ˌtā-tər

noun

Choose the Right Synonym for imitate

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 imitate in a Sentence

Her style has been imitated by many other writers. He's very good at imitating his father's voice. She can imitate the calls of many different birds.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

There's also a more foot-like Sole, for better imitating a human walking gait. —

Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2024 Governed by Neptune, the planet of fantasy and film, Pisces is naturally drawn to iconic characters and cinematic flair, and Nyong’o’s choice proves that life really does imitate art. —

Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024 Scammers will also often imitate someone in authority, such as a tax or debt collector. —

Adriana Morga, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024 Protection Against Fraudulent and Malicious Sites Phishing pages are frauds that attempt to steal your login credentials by imitating sensitive websites. —

PCMAG, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for imitate

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin imitātus, past participle of imitārī "to follow as a pattern, copy," frequentative derivative of a presumed verb *imā- "make a copy," perhaps going back to Indo-European *h₂im-, whence also Hittite hima-, himma- "substitute, replica, toy"

Note: Aside from Hittite, evidence for an etymon *h₂im- is lacking. See also etymology and note at emulous.

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of imitate was in 1534

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Imitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imitate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

imitate

verb

im·i·tate ˈim-ə-ˌtāt

imitated; imitating

: to follow as a pattern, model, or example

: to be or appear similar to

: to copy exactly

imitator

-ˌtāt-ər

noun

Last Updated: 22 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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imitate

verb

Synonyms

Examples of imitate in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near imitate

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition