mimic

American  

[mim-ik] / ˈmɪm ɪk /

verb (used with object)

mimics, present (3rd person singular) mimicked, past participle, past mimicking present participle

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

Derived Forms

• mimicker
  noun
• unmimicked
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have mimicked
  perfect
• has mimicked
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have been mimicking
  perfect progressive
• mimicking
  participle
• mimics
  singular 3rd person
• is mimicking
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are mimicking
  progressive
• has been mimicking
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am mimicking
  progressive 1st person singular

Past

• had mimicked
  perfect
• had been mimicking
  perfect progressive
• were mimicking
  progressive plural
• mimicked
  participle
• mimicked
  simple
• was mimicking
  progressive singular

Future

• will mimic
  simple
• will have mimicked
  perfect
• will have been mimicking
  perfect progressive
• will be mimicking
  progressive

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

While powders and natural flavorings may provide a smidge of seasoning, they’re still pretty weak, especially if you’re trying to mimic the taste of restaurant-quality soups.

From Salon • Jun. 13, 2026

While AI can sometimes mimic human behavior, its ability to maintain attention appears to operate very differently from the way people do.

From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026

Automated rainfall systems would mimic natural weather and support breeding success, according to the facility.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Then he wrote a bestseller, “The Little Book That Beats the Market,” telling mere mortals a simple way to mimic his performance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

The mother was a good mimic, and everybody laughed and sipped their wine.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez

Related Words

• ape
• look like
• mirror
• resemble
• simulate