imitation

American  

[im-i-tay-shuhn] / ˌɪm ɪˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

• imitations
  plural

1. a result or product of imitating.

2. the act of imitating.

3. a counterfeit; copy.

4. a literary composition that imitates the manner or subject of another author or work.

5. Biology. mimicry.

6. Psychology. the performance of an act whose stimulus is the observation of the act performed by another person.

7. Sociology. the copying of patterns of activity and thought of other groups or individuals.

8. Art.

   1. (in Aristotelian aesthetics) the representation of an object or an action as it ought to be.

   2. the representation of actuality in art or literature.

9. Music. the repetition of a melodic phrase at a different pitch or key from the original or in a different voice part.

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adjective

1. designed to imitate a genuine or superior article or thing.

   imitation leather.

2. Jewelry. noting an artificial gem no part of which is of the true gemstone.

imitation British  

/ ˌɪmɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act, practice, or art of imitating; mimicry

2. an instance or product of imitating, such as a copy of the manner of a person; impression

3. 1. a copy or reproduction of a genuine article; counterfeit

   2. ( as modifier )

      imitation jewellery

4. (in contrapuntal or polyphonic music) the repetition of a phrase or figure in one part after its appearance in another, as in a fugue

5. a literary composition that adapts the style of an older work to the writer's own purposes

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• overimitation
  noun
• preimitation
  noun
• self-imitation
  noun
• imitational
  adjective
• nonimitational
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• imitations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of imitation

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin imitātiōn- (stem of imitātiō ). See imitate, -ion

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Explanation

Imitation means copying the words, facial expressions, or actions of another person. Sometimes imitation is flattering, but often it's just annoying — like when your little brother does it to drive you crazy. Use the adjective imitation to describe an object that pretends to be something else. Imitation paintings can be so real looking that it's hard to tell the fake from the genuine article. Some imitations have hung unnoticed on museum walls for years, only being exposed through the use of modern technology. A common proverb is "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," although museum directors and people with obnoxious little brothers would probably disagree.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

imitation imitations

The Latina expression of the gothic through self-styling is not a passing algorithmic trend — nor is it a passive imitation of white subcultures.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026

These scenes reflect Ms. Hall’s declaration to keep her language “self-consciously modern, in direct imitation of Euripides,” whom Aristotle praised for granting his characters up-to-date diction.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

Of particular note was his amazing imitation of Patti Smith’s vocal part in “E-bow The Letter,” later in the set.

From Salon ● Oct. 7, 2026

Doug Jamieson, of The Jam Report, external, awarded four stars and said Cregger "understands adaptation as translation rather than imitation".

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026

She pointed to an impressive but imitation oak desk at which sat a prissy, tiny, bespectacled individual, merged with his plethora of paperwork.

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick

Following Wednesday's ruling, Birkenstock said it will "continue to defend its rights vigorously and will use all available legal means to combat imitations of its iconic products".

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

The government has also introduced "geographical indication" tags that help distinguish genuine Kashmiri carpets from cheap imitations.

From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026

Weizenbaum never released the software or its source code, but, based on a 1966 paper and other writings of his, people have created numerous imitations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

To put it plainly: Julian’s imitations lacked the vivacity that made his art unique, resulting in an uncanny dissonance between idea and result.

From Salon ● Apr. 17, 2026

We were able to make each other burst with giggling when we did imitations of the thick-skinned preacher.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

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Related Words

• clone
• impersonation
• impression
• mimicry
• parody
• reflection
• replica
• reproduction

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