im·i·ta·tion
ˌi-mə-ˈtā-shən 
1
: an act or instance of imitating
2
: something produced as a copy : counterfeit
3
: a literary work designed to reproduce the style of another author
4
: the repetition by one voice of a melody, phrase, or motive stated earlier in the composition by a different voice
5
: the quality of an object in possessing some of the nature or attributes of a transcendent idea
6
: the assumption of behavior observed in other individuals
: resembling something else that is usually genuine and of better quality : not real
imitation leather
Synonyms
Noun
- carbon
- carbon copy
- clone
- copy
- dummy
- dupe
- duplicate
- duplication
- facsimile
- mock
- reduplication
- replica
- replication
- reproduction
Adjective
Examples of imitation in a Sentence
Noun
Children learn by imitation of adults.
The restaurant was designed in imitation of a Japanese temple.
He did a hilarious imitation of his father.
The real diamonds are in a museum. These are just imitations.
Adjective
the stage production uses only imitation diamonds, as real gems would be prohibitively expensive
Recent Examples on the Web
Zack Sharf, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024
In imitation, Golembiewski wore a brown knit hat and a white piece of lace with skulls attached to a brass ring that rested on her shoulders and a hula hoop suspended around her knees.
—Peter Breen, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2024
Director Maggie Levin also offers a pretty spot-on imitation of Jackass-era music-TV aesthetics.
27.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024
Where January’s Emmys sparked to life with low-key charms and reunion after reunion, September’s ceremony felt like a poor imitation.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for imitation 
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.
Noun
Our poster is an homage not an imitation, to edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024
In imitation, Golembiewski wore a brown knit hat and a white piece of lace with skulls attached to a brass ring that rested on her shoulders and a hula hoop suspended around her knees.
—Peter Breen, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2024
Director Maggie Levin also offers a pretty spot-on imitation of Jackass-era music-TV aesthetics.
27.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024
Where January’s Emmys sparked to life with low-key charms and reunion after reunion, September’s ceremony felt like a poor imitation.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for imitation
Articles Related to imitation
Dictionary Entries Near imitation
Cite this Entry
“Imitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imitation. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
imitation
1 of 2 noun
im·i·ta·tion
ˌim-ə-ˈtā-shən
1
: an act of imitating
2
: something produced as a copy
imitation
2 of 2 adjective
: resembling something else especially of better quality
imitation pearls
imitation leather
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share