Meaning & use
mimics
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“mimics” is a form of “mimic”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Third-person singular of mimic: copies someone's voice, movements or behavior, usually to amuse people or to imitate them closely.
Grammar: Takes an object: she mimics her teacher.
Patterns
- someone mimics someone
- something mimics something
My brother mimics our grandfather's accent perfectly.
The parrot mimics the sound of the phone ringing.
This software mimics the way the human brain processes images.
nounpluralbiology
People or animals that copy others, especially species that look like another species and gain protection from it.
Grammar: Plural of mimic: several mimics, not one mimics.
Patterns
- mimics of something
- harmless mimics
Some harmless flies are mimics of stinging wasps.
The comedy club hired two mimics who imitate famous singers.
Predators avoid mimics because they resemble toxic species.
Word forms
| base | mimic |
|---|---|
| past tense | mimicked |
| -ing form | mimicking |
Common combinations
- mimics the sound of
- The bird mimics the sound of a car alarm.
- closely mimics
- The robot closely mimics human walking.
- mimics a disease
- The rash mimics an allergic reaction.
- harmless mimics
- Harmless mimics benefit from looking dangerous.
- skilled mimics
- Crows are skilled mimics of other birds.
Synonyms and how they differ
- imitates
- Imitates is the general word, while mimics often suggests a close, sometimes playful copy of voice or manner.
- copies
- Copies is plain and works for any object, whereas mimics is for behavior, sound or appearance.
- impersonates
- Impersonates means pretending to be a specific person, often for entertainment or deceit, which is narrower than mimics.
- mocks
- Mocks adds the idea of making fun of someone, while mimics can be neutral or even admiring.
Word family
Commonly confused: mimics or mimes?
mimics vs mimes
Mimes act without words using gestures, while mimics copy a specific person, sound or creature.
Practice
Our parrot ____ the sound of the doorbell so well that we keep checking the door.
Choose one answer.
The subject our parrot is third person singular, so the present verb takes -s. Mimic lacks the s, mimicking needs an auxiliary, and mimicked to is wrong.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mimics”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.