Meaning & use
act of imitation
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Meanings
phrasecountable
the action of copying someone's behavior, appearance, or voice, often to entertain or mock.
Grammar: Countable: 'an act of imitation' or 'acts of imitation'.
Patterns
- an act of imitation
- perform an act of imitation
- in an act of imitation
His impression of the president was a clever act of imitation.
The comedian's act of imitation had the audience laughing.
Children learn many social skills through acts of imitation.
phrasecountabletechnical
the process of copying something, especially in art, biology, or technology, often to learn or replicate.
Grammar: Often used in technical contexts: 'an act of imitation in nature'.
Patterns
- an act of imitation in something
- through an act of imitation
In biology, an act of imitation can help a species survive by copying successful behaviors.
The artist's early work was an act of imitation of the old masters.
Word forms
| plural | acts of imitation |
|---|
Common combinations
- a mere act of imitation
- Her first painting was a mere act of imitation, not original.
- perform an act of imitation
- The parrot performed an act of imitation by repeating the words.
- an act of imitation of someone
- His act of imitation of the teacher was spot-on.
- through acts of imitation
- Babies learn language through acts of imitation.
Synonyms and how they differ
- impersonation
- Specifically copying a person's voice or manner, often for entertainment; 'act of imitation' can be broader.
- mimicry
- Often used in biology for animals copying other species; 'act of imitation' is more general.
- copying
- A simpler, everyday word; 'act of imitation' sounds more formal.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: act of imitation or intimation?
act of imitation vs intimation
This means a hint or suggestion, not copying.
Practice
The child's repeating of his father's gestures was an act of ___.
Choose one answer.
The phrase requires a noun after 'of', and 'imitation' is the noun. 'Imitate' is a verb, 'imitative' an adjective, and 'imitatively' an adverb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “act of imitation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.