Meaning & use
mimic
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To copy the way someone speaks or acts, often to amuse people.
Grammar: Takes an object: mimic a teacher.
Patterns
- mimic someone
- mimic someone's voice
He can mimic the principal's voice perfectly.
The parrot mimics the sound of the doorbell.
My little brother mimics everything I do.
verbtransitivebiology
To copy the shape, look or behavior of something, especially for protection or in a model.
Grammar: Takes an object: a harmless insect that mimics a wasp.
Patterns
- mimic something
Some harmless flies mimic wasps to scare off birds.
The software mimics the way neurons connect.
The lab built a chamber that mimics conditions on Mars.
nouncountable
A person or animal that copies others, especially a skilled entertainer.
Grammar: Often with a descriptor: a talented mimic.
Patterns
- a mimic of someone
She is a gifted mimic who does all the teachers.
The mockingbird is a famous mimic of other birds.
The comedian started his career as a mimic.
Word forms
| third person singular | mimics |
|---|---|
| past tense | mimicked |
| past participle | mimicked |
| -ing form | mimicking |
| plural | mimics |
Common combinations
- mimic someone's accent
- She likes to mimic her uncle's accent.
- mimic the sound of
- Starlings can mimic the sound of a phone.
- mimic behavior
- Children often mimic adult behavior.
- mimic natural conditions
- The tank is designed to mimic natural conditions.
- master mimic
- He was a master mimic of film stars.
Synonyms and how they differ
- imitate
- Imitate is neutral and can mean copying as a model, while mimic often carries a playful or exact-copy tone.
- mock
- Mock means copying in order to make fun of someone, which is harsher than mimic.
- parody
- Parody exaggerates a style for comic effect, while mimic can aim for an exact copy.
- copy
- Copy is the plainest word and says nothing about performance or humor.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: mimic or mime?
mimic vs mime
A mime performs without speaking, while a mimic copies sounds or manners. Both come from the same Greek root.
Practice
A harmless butterfly that looks like a poisonous one to avoid being eaten is said to ___ it.
Choose one answer.
Mimic means to copy the look of another species. Mock would mean making fun of it, which is not what happens in nature.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mimic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.