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

And, at least for me, dialing a copycat recipe toward perfection is mildly addictive.

From Salon

As more Strategy copycats hit the market, Mallers and his co-founders at Tether saw a need for a company built on Bitcoin reserves that can also generate meaningful operating revenue.

From Barron's

Soon the revelation drew taunts from Elon Musk, who suggested his rival was a copycat.

From The Wall Street Journal

Few people have ever seen it, and while copycat recipes and alleged leaks from disgruntled employees abound, the company says only those who have seen the list really know how to make Cane’s Sauce.

From The Wall Street Journal

These alternatives are unlikely to disappear, but falling prices for the branded drugs will make copycats less appealing to consumers hunting for savings.

From The Wall Street Journal