copycat

American  

[kop-ee-kat] / ˈkɒp iˌkæt /

noun

1. a person or thing that copies, imitates, mimics, or follows the lead of another, as a child who says or does exactly the same as another child.

---

adjective

1. imitating or repeating a recent, well-known occurrence.

   a copycat murder.

verb (used with object)

copycatted, copycatting

1. to imitate or mimic.

   new domestic wines that copycat the expensive imports.

2. to copy slavishly; reproduce.

   The clothes were copycatted straight from designer originals.

copycat British  

/ ˈkɒpɪˌkæt /

noun

1. informal

   1. a person, esp a child, who imitates or copies another

   2. ( as modifier )

      copycat murders

---

Other Word Forms

• copycatism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of copycat

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; copy + cat ( def. )

Explanation

Someone who mimics what you do or say is a copycat. If your little brother orders fettuccine Alfredo after you've already ordered it, you might call him a copycat. The word copycat is a lighthearted, gently derogatory word for a person who imitates someone else. If you love your friend's red shoes so much that you run out and buy identical ones, she might call you a copycat. When a criminal commits a crime that exactly follows the pattern of a previous crime, newspapers often refer to it as a copycat crime. The word has been in use in the United States since at least the 1880s.

Example Sentences

Copycat versions were subsequently shared about schools in Bristol, Cardiff and the West Midlands.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

Copycat models and overexpansion can quickly dilute the “authentic” story that makes small luxuries appealing.

From Barron's • Oct. 14, 2025

Copycat laws soon spread around the country — 32 states have since declared English as their official language.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2025

Copycat videos under the #butterboard hashtag have since racked up more than 240 million views on TikTok.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 21, 2022

"Did you know," said Fidu, "that the Copycat had been visiting?"

From The Book of Gud by Hersey, Harold