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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

• copycatism noun

Etymology

Origin of copycat

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

Example Sentences

Dozens of copycat accounts have begun producing similar content and collectively they have racked up millions of views across TikTok and Instagram Reels.

From BBC

After a period of shortages and high prices, they’re widely available and prescribed, including copycat versions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Patent expiry has also led to rise of low-cost copycat weight-loss drugs, with warnings about the safety of some of them.

From BBC

They rebounded Friday after the Food and Drug Administration chief threatened action against the mass marketing of copycat drugs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Stuart’s post on Friday did not explicitly name Hims’ copycat drug.

From Barron's