mimic

American  

[mim-ik] / ˈmɪm ɪk /

verb (used with object)

mimicked, mimicking

1. to imitate or copy in action, speech, etc., often playfully or derisively.

   Synonyms:

   counterfeit, simulate, impersonate, mock, follow

2. to imitate in a servile or unthinking way; ape.

3. to be an imitation of; simulate; resemble closely.

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noun

1. a person who mimics, especially a performer skilled in mimicking others.

2. a copy or imitation of something.

3. a performer in a mime.

adjective

1. imitating or copying something, often on a smaller scale.

   a mimic battle.

   Synonyms:

   mock

2. apt at or given to imitating; imitative; simulative.

mimic British  

/ ˈmɪmɪk /

verb

1. to imitate (a person, a manner, etc), esp for satirical effect; ape

   known mainly for his ability to mimic other singers

2. to take on the appearance of; resemble closely

   certain flies mimic wasps

3. to copy closely or in a servile manner

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noun

1. a person or an animal, such as a parrot, that is clever at mimicking

2. an animal that displays mimicry

adjective

1. of, relating to, or using mimicry; imitative

2. simulated, make-believe, or mock

Other Word Forms

• mimicker noun
• unmimicked adjective

Etymology

Origin of mimic

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin mīmicus, from Greek mīmikós; equivalent to mime + -ic

Explanation

A mimic is someone who is good at imitating others. A gifted mimic might be able to imitate one president after another just by minimally changing facial expression and manner of speaking. Mimic, related to mime ("an entertainer who performs using gestures not speech"), can be traced back to the Greek mimeisthai, "to imitate." Usually when you mimic someone, you imitate them in order to make fun of them. Performers mimic famous people to get laughs, but ordinary people mimic others when they are angry at them. Who hasn't mimicked parents or a boss who has said no one too many times?!

Example Sentences

Both Foundayo and Wegovy mimic the GLP-1 hormone, which naturally occurs in the body, to suppress hunger and improve blood sugar levels.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Engineering a functioning drop-down door, designed to mimic cinematic spacecraft entrances, proved particularly challenging.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Mr. Morris is trying to mimic the president’s style.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

The researchers began by analyzing a commercially available library of nucleotide/nucleoside analogues, which are designed to mimic the building blocks of genetic material.

From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026

I tried to mimic the voices I had heard on the radio and television: high-pitched and nasal-y.

From "I Will Always Write Back" by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda

Related Words

• ape
• look like
• mirror
• resemble
• simulate