mimicry

American  

[mim-ik-ree] / ˈmɪm ɪk ri /

noun

mimicries plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• mimicries
  plural

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

See Examples For:

mimicry mimicries

Scientists say the finding offers valuable insight into how mimicry evolves and the ecological functions these adaptations can serve.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 17, 2026

Our recent research tested whether AI systems’ consciousness claims are mere mimicry.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 25, 2025

And luckily I have a skill for mimicry, so I can do that.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 15, 2025

His huge talent for comic sketches, mimicry and song was awarded with similarly huge budgets by grateful commissioners.

From BBC ● Dec. 12, 2025

They also engage in what is called motor mimicry.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell

But she somehow progressed from entertaining her friends with mimicries to playing to paying houses.

From Time Magazine Archive

In private, her character is less appalling, though she is noted for her impudent mimicries of Moran & Mack, Maurice Chevalier, Fanny Brice, Eddie Cantor, Groucho Marx.

From Time Magazine Archive

The pattern of the wallpaper blamelessly repeats itself from wainscote to cornice; and the pictures are immobile and changeless within their glazed frames—faint, flat mimicries of life.

From Yet Again by Beerbohm, Max, Sir

With mimicries of dance she wakes The lordly gallery's silent floor, And climbing up on tiptoe, makes The old-world mirror smile once more.

From Ionica by Cory, William (AKA William Johnson)

Here, no doubt, we see quaint mimicries of the mother's fashion of control, but they seem, too, to indicate a movement in the direction of self-control.

From Children's Ways by Sully, James

Related Words

• pastiche