mock

American  

[mok] / mɒk /

verb (used with object)

1. to attack or treat with ridicule, contempt, or derision.

   Synonyms:

   lampoon, parody, josh, tease, chaff, gibe, ridicule, scorn, deride

2. to ridicule by mimicry of action or speech; mimic derisively.

3. to mimic, imitate, or counterfeit.

4. to challenge; defy.

   His actions mock convention.

5. to deceive, delude, or disappoint.

   Synonyms:

   mislead, fool, dupe, cheat

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verb (used without object)

1. to use ridicule or derision; scoff; jeer (often followed byat ).

noun

1. a contemptuous or derisive imitative action or speech; mockery or derision.

2. something mocked or derided; an object of derision.

3. an imitation; counterfeit; fake.

4. Shipbuilding.

   1. a hard pattern representing the surface of a plate with a warped form, upon which the plate is beaten to shape after furnacing.

   2. Also called mock mold.  bed.

adjective

1. feigned; not real; sham.

   a mock battle.

verb phrase

1. mock up to build a mock-up of.

mock British  

/ mɒk /

verb

1. to behave with scorn or contempt (towards); show ridicule (for)

2. (tr) to imitate, esp in fun; mimic

3. (tr) to deceive, disappoint, or delude

4. (tr) to defy or frustrate

   the team mocked the visitors' attempt to score

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noun

1. the act of mocking

2. a person or thing mocked

3. a counterfeit; imitation

4. informal (often plural) (in England and Wales) the school examinations taken as practice before public examinations

adjective

1. sham or counterfeit

2. serving as an imitation or substitute, esp for practice purposes

   a mock battle

   mock finals

Related Words

See ridicule.

Other Word Forms

• mockable
  adjective
• mocker
  noun
• mocking
  noun
• mockingly
  adverb
• unmocked
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of mock

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English mokken, from Middle French mocquer

Explanation

Imitation may be the most sincere form of flattery, but to mock is to make fun of or mimic someone with contempt, ridicule or derision. "Louise’s favorite pastime was to mock her brother’s inability to sing on key." The verb mock — as in the use that inspired the name of the mockingbird — can be simple imitation but, more often, to mock someone is to show disdain through mimicry or parody. As an adjective, mock indicates a fake or a simulation: "The design team made the most fabulous mock Eiffel Tower for our staging of An American in Paris." "His mock gratitude was, at times, unbearable."

Example Sentences

Outside the courtroom, he lectures as an adjunct in the law school at USC and volunteers in a mock trial program for middle and high school students.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

On his April 23 show, Kimmel presented a mock White House Correspondents’ Dinner speech where he joked that the first lady had “a glow like an expectant widow.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

The men taking aim at Megan, and it is mostly men, mock her supposedly ludicrous expectation that any man with a multimillion-dollar net worth would remain monogamous.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026

The 77-year-old king grimaced in mock embarrassment as Trump turned to look at him, then waved as if to say carry on -- which Trump did.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

The snare drum rolls, and she stops, her mouth open in mock surprise.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

Related Words

• deride
• insult
• parody
• scoff
• scorn
• taunt
• tease