copycat

[kop-ee-kat]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of copycat¹

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

Example Sentences

Do we really want to incentivize vigilantes like YouTube copycat Skeet Hansen, seen in the documentary machinating and uploading his own stakeouts, pitiful farces of justice with the catchphrase “You’ve just been Skeeted”?

From Los Angeles Times

Now we face the fear of copycat incidents against Democratic politicians and commentators.

From Salon

EO: And biting his style means somebody copying your style, like a copycat.

From Los Angeles Times

He expressed a desire to carry out his own copycat killings, and had a stash of deadly weapons, he added.

From BBC

US officials have warned for years that mass shooting can lead to copycat killings, as killers seek to become famous through their heinous crimes.

From BBC