mimic

[ mim-ik ]

/ ˈmɪm ɪk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR mimic ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), mim·icked, mim·ick·ing.

to imitate or copy in action, speech, etc., often playfully or derisively.

to imitate in a servile or unthinking way; ape.

to be an imitation of; simulate; resemble closely.

noun

a person who mimics, especially a performer skilled in mimicking others.

a copy or imitation of something.

a performer in a mime.

adjective

imitating or copying something, often on a smaller scale: a mimic battle.

apt at or given to imitating; imitative; simulative.

Nearby words

mimesis, mimetic, mimetism, mimetite, mimi, mimic, mimic panel, mimical, mimicry, mimine, miminy-piminy

Origin of mimic

1580–90; < Latin mīmicus < Greek mīmikós. See mime, -ic

SYNONYMS FOR mimic

1 follow, mock; impersonate; simulate, counterfeit.

7 mock, simulated.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR mimic ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

mim·ick·er, nounun·mim·icked, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for mimic

When my hair gets long enough I kid myself I can mimic the glorious tumbling fringe of “the Rachel” sometimes.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Got Married and We’re Worried About Jennifer Aniston|Kevin Fallon, Tim Teeman|August 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The results: Even moderate MDMA doses in conditions that mimic hot, crowded, social settings could be lethal to rats.
Why Molly Is Especially Deadly at Summer Music Festivals|Abby Haglage|June 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The team designed over 40 themed soundscapes that mimic environments, all of which are free to download.
New Study Shows Dream App Helps People Craft Dreams and Wake Up Happier|Mihir Patkar|April 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He slowed down the action at times for effect; he jolted the camera to mimic the jittery imperfection of a documentary.
WWII Lies of Hollywood's Greats|Caryn James|February 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Wall Street gets to game the government; Republican big wigs get to mimic their masters in a sandbox of their own.
Wall Street Wolves Want to Bring their Big Bucks to the GOP Party|James Poulos|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She could not speak at all, except to mimic his last words whenever he spoke.
The Silent Readers|William D. Lewis
Filling his cupped hands with water, he sent up shower after shower of mimic rain between them and the miserable, cowering beast.
Strange Stories of the Great River|Abbie Johnston Grosvenor
She had come to play for him, to mimic the natural world for his pleasure.
Rose O'Paradise|Grace Miller White
And how came he to permit such a person to mimic Josephine Burroughs, a lady, the woman to whom he was engaged?
The Grain Of Dust|David Graham Phillips
How different the scene with these mimic troops, from that presented by his human legions!
The Knickerbocker, Vol. 22, No. 4, October 1843|Various

British Dictionary definitions for mimic

mimic

/ (ˈmɪmɪk) /

verb -ics, -icking or -icked (tr)

to imitate (a person, a manner, etc), esp for satirical effect; apeknown mainly for his ability to mimic other singers

to take on the appearance of; resemble closelycertain flies mimic wasps

to copy closely or in a servile manner

noun

a person or an animal, such as a parrot, that is clever at mimicking

an animal that displays mimicry

adjective

of, relating to, or using mimicry; imitative

simulated, make-believe, or mock

Derived Forms

mimicker, noun

Word Origin for mimic

C16: from Latin mīmicus, from Greek mimikos, from mimos mime

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

Medicine definitions for mimic

mimic

[ mĭm′ĭk ]

v.

To resemble closely; simulate.

To take on the appearance of.

Related forms

mim′ic adj. n.