English Dictionary

Definition of “mimic”

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mimic (ˈmɪmɪkPronunciation for mimic) 

Definitions

verb

(tr)
  1. to imitate (a person, a manner, etc), esp for satirical effect; ape  ⇒ known mainly for his ability to mimic other singers 
  2. to take on the appearance of; resemble closely  ⇒ certain flies mimic wasps 
  3. to copy closely or in a servile manner

noun

  1. a person or an animal, such as a parrot, that is clever at mimicking
  2. an animal that displays mimicry

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or using mimicry; imitative
  2. simulated, make-believe, or mock

Alternative Forms

ˈmimicker noun

Word Origin

C16: from Latin mīmicus,  from Greek mimikos,  from mimosmime

Translations

  • British English: mimic Pronunciation for mimic If you mimic someone's actions or voice, you imitate them in an amusing or entertaining way.He could mimic anybody.ˈmɪmɪk VERB He could mimic anybody.
  • Spanish: imitar Pronunciation for imitar v
  • French: imiter Pronunciation for imiter vt
  • German: nachahmen Pronunciation for nachahmen v
  • Chinese: 模仿Pronunciation for 模仿 v
  • Arabic: يُحَاكِيPronunciation for يُحَاكِي vt
  • Portuguese: imitarPronunciation for imitar v
  • Russian: передразниватьPronunciation for передразнивать v
  • Croatian: oponašatiPronunciation for oponašati v
  • Czech: napodobitPronunciation for napodobit v napodobovat
  • Danish: efterlignePronunciation for efterligne v
  • Dutch: nabootsenPronunciation for nabootsen v
  • Finnish: matkiaPronunciation for matkia v
  • Greek: μιμούμαιPronunciation for μιμούμαι v
  • Italian: imitarePronunciation for imitare v
  • Japanese: 物まねをするPronunciation for 物まねをする v
  • Korean: 흉내내다Pronunciation for 흉내내다 v
  • Norwegian: imiterePronunciation for imitere v
  • Polish: imitatorPronunciation for imitator nm
  • Brazilian Portuguese: imitarPronunciation for imitar v
  • European Spanish: imitar Pronunciation for imitar v
  • Swedish: imiteraPronunciation for imitera v
  • Thai: ล้อเลียนPronunciation for ล้อเลียน v
  • Turkish: taklit etmekPronunciation for taklit etmek v
  • Vietnamese: bắt chướcPronunciation for bắt chước v

Usage examples

  • This huge cavern might mimic the outside world, but the air was too still.
    Garth Nix, LIRAEL: DAUGHTER OF THE CLAYR (2001)
  • This would mimic the way the internet's fundamental protocols were built on top of phone line infrastructure 30 years ago.
    New Scientist (2004)
  • The system also plays the original artist video along with the track so the performers are able to mimic movement as well.
    New Zealand Herald (2004)
  • I try to help them do what they've got naturally, rather than teach them to mimic me.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Now parrots are well known for the ability to mimic mindlessly words taught to them by their owners.
    Evans, Peter & Deehan, Geoff, The Descent of Mind - the how and why of intelligence (1990)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'M'

Related Terms

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