mimic

¹mim·ic

noun \ˈmi-mik\

Definition of MIMIC

1

: mime 2

2

: one that mimics

Examples of MIMIC

1. <a gifted mimic who can do a terrific imitation of anyone's voice>
2. <a mimic in black clothes and white facial makeup>

First Known Use of MIMIC

1596

Related to MIMIC

Synonyms

imitator, impersonator, impressionist, personator

Related Words

burlesquer, caricaturist, lampooner, mocker, parodist, satirist; mime, mimer, mummer, pantomime, pantomimist; actor, entertainer, performer, player, trouper; ape, copycat, echo, parrot, rubber stamp

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

Rhymes with MIMIC

gimmick

²mimic

adjective

Definition of MIMIC

1

a : imitative

b : imitation, mock <a mimic battle>

2

: of or relating to mime or mimicry

Examples of MIMIC

1. <police were concerned that the mimic gun, although intended only as a toy, might be confused with the real thing in certain situations>
2. <a mimic battle fought by kids playing around in the schoolyard>

Origin of MIMIC

Latin mimicus, from Greek mimikos, from mimos mime

First Known Use: 1625

Related to MIMIC

Synonyms

artificial, bogus, dummy, ersatz, factitious, fake, false, faux, imitative, man-made, imitation, mock, pretend, sham, simulated, substitute, synthetic

Antonyms

genuine, natural, real

Related Words

cultured, manufactured, process; unauthentic; adulterated, designer, doctored, engineered, fudged, juggled, manipulated, tampered (with); concocted, fabricated; counterfeit, deceptive, forged, fraudulent, misleading, phony (also phoney); affected, brummagem, feigned, pinchbeck, pseudo, spurious

Near Antonyms

authentic, bona fide, legitimate, true; premium, quality, valuable; pure, unadulterated

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

Rhymes with MIMIC

gimmick

³mimic

transitive verb

mim·icked \-mikt\ mim·ick·ing

Definition of MIMIC

1

: to imitate closely : ape

2

: to ridicule by imitation

3

: simulate

4

: to resemble by biological mimicry

Examples of MIMIC

1. She has a talent for mimicking famous actresses.
2. The lamp mimics natural sunlight.
3. a butterfly that mimics a leaf

First Known Use of MIMIC

1671

Related to MIMIC

Synonyms

burlesque, caricature, do, imitate, mock, parody, send up, spoof, travesty

Related Words

lampoon, pasquinade, satirize; deride, gibe (or jibe), ridicule; ape, copycat, monkey, parrot; duplicate, emulate, replicate, reproduce; act, counterfeit, dissemble, fake, feign, pretend, sham, simulate; elaborate, embellish, embroider, exaggerate, magnify, pad, play up, stretch; amplify, enhance, enlarge (on or upon), expand, flesh (out), overdraw, overstate, put on; mime, pantomime; impersonate, perform, personate, play

See Synonym Discussion at copy