mimicry

American  

[mim-ik-ree] / ˈmɪm ɪk ri /

noun

plural

mimicries

1. the act, practice, or art of mimicking.

2. Biology. the close external resemblance of an organism, the mimic, to some different organism, the model, such that the mimic benefits from the mistaken identity, as seeming to be unpalatable or harmful.

3. an instance, performance, or result of mimicking.

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mimicry British  

/ ˈmɪmɪkrɪ /

noun

1. the act or art of copying or imitating closely; mimicking

2. the resemblance shown by one animal species, esp an insect, to another, which protects it from predators

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mimicry Scientific  

/ mĭm′ĭ-krē /

1. The resemblance of one organism to another or to an object in its surroundings for concealment or protection from predators.

2. See also aggressive mimicry Batesian mimicry Müllerian mimicry

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Etymology

Origin of mimicry

First recorded in 1680–90; mimic + -ry

Explanation

Mimicry is the art of imitation, which is practiced the world over, from annoying siblings who repeat every word you say, to professional comedians who impersonate famous people onstage. Mimicry comes from a Greek word for mime: a performer who silently imitates gestures and expressions. Usually mimicry refers to imitation that is meant to make fun of the thing imitated, often in an unkind way. Think of the class clown’s mimicry of your French teacher’s overly precise accent. It entertained the class, but got him sent to the principal’s office.

Example Sentences

So can the capital's wildlife compare to the broadcaster's encounters with mountain gorillas in Rwanda, the mimicry of a lyrebird in Australia or a blue whale breaching beside his small boat?

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

This mimicry was at the heart of his brilliant comedy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

This AI slop, this soulless mimicry of human life, is accelerating the planet’s demise.

From Salon • Dec. 24, 2024

While the outfit went viral on TikTok and Instagram, Mozejewski said he got called out a bit by some graffiti artists who called his attempts at mimicry “toy,” meaning kind of novice.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2024

She uncorked the last of her father's mimicry solutions and pressed it to his mouth.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• pastiche