mime

[ mahym, meem ]

/ maɪm, mim /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for mime on Thesaurus.com

noun

the art or technique of portraying a character, mood, idea, or narration by gestures and bodily movements; pantomime.

an actor who specializes in this art.

an ancient Greek or Roman farce that depended for effect largely upon ludicrous actions and gestures.

a player in such a farce.

mimic (def. 4).

a jester, clown, or comedian.

verb (used with object), mimed, mim·ing.

to mimic.

to act in mime.

verb (used without object), mimed, mim·ing.

to play a part by mime or mimicry.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of mime

1610–20; <Latin mīmus<Greek mîmos imitator, mime, akin to mīmeîsthai to copy, imitate

OTHER WORDS FROM mime

mimer, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use mime in a sentence

“They ended up miming their performance,” she told The Daily Beast.
So What if Beyoncé Lip-Synced the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’?|Tricia Romano|January 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I told them I was embarrassed to do the air hand-job miming thing.
Emmy-Nominated Actress Anna Gunn, ‘Breaking Bad’s Skyler White, Tells All|Maria Elena Fernandez|September 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Roy Choi is miming eating a Cuban sandwich while dancing to an unheard beat.
Street Food Guru Roy Choi on Sunny Spot, Food Trucks, Kogi & More|Jace Lacob|December 13, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Now the miming of ordinary ballet-dancers has often in the past seemed to be more than a little ridiculous.
The Russian Ballet|Ellen Terry

Both in the actors miming and in the dancing an important element is the stamping of beats with the shoeless foot.
The N Plays of Japan|Arthur Waley
Some actors, says wada, here write in the air with their fan; but such detailed miming is vulgar.
The N Plays of Japan|Arthur Waley
"Il Barone" was a favourite subject for another form of "Miming," that of the wooden figures called Marionettes.
A History of Pantomime|R. J. Broadbent
Sammy raised his eyebrows and spread out his hands, miming What happens now?
Makers|Cory Doctorow

British Dictionary definitions for mime (1 of 2)

mime

/ (maɪm) /

noun

the theatrical technique of expressing an idea or mood or portraying a character entirely by gesture and bodily movement without the use of words

Also called: mime artist a performer specializing in such a technique, esp a comic actor

a dramatic presentation using such a technique

(in the classical theatre)

a comic performance depending for effect largely on exaggerated gesture and physical action
an actor in such a performance

verb

to express (an idea) in actions or gestures without speech

(of singers or musicians) to perform as if singing (a song) or playing (a piece of music) that is actually prerecorded

Derived forms of mime

mimer, noun

Word Origin for mime

Old English mīma, from Latin mīmus mimic actor, from Greek mimos imitator

British Dictionary definitions for mime (2 of 2)

MIME

/ computing /

abbreviation for

multipurpose internet mail extensions

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

mime

Origin of mime

OTHER WORDS FROM mime

Words related to mime

How to use mime in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for mime (1 of 2)

Derived forms of mime

Word Origin for mime

British Dictionary definitions for mime (2 of 2)