Meaning & use

imitate

verb·Everyday

To copy the behavior, appearance, or actions of someone or something else.

See it in a sentence

Young children often imitate the gestures and speech of their parents.

The comedian imitated the mayor's distinctive voice to the audience's delight.

A note on using this word

Imitate can be neutral, as in learning by imitation, or mocking, as in mimicking someone for comic effect, depending on context.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

originate

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