mimicry

noun

mim·​ic·​ry ˈmi-mi-krē 

plural mimicries

1

a

: an instance of mimicking

b

: the action, practice, or art of mimicking

entertained his family with mimicry and comic skits

—Cynthia Ozick

2

: a superficial (see superficial sense 2b) resemblance of one organism to another or to natural objects among which it lives that secures it a selective advantage (such as protection from predation)

Examples of mimicry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This cutting-edge use of 3D printing has given researchers a new lens into how mimicry evolves and why some species become expert imposters while others can get away with just a rough resemblance. —Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2025

But few fan bases have gone the extra mile to put on bald caps, and Pitbull said he felt touched by seeing the special effort his fans put into their mimicry. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 11 June 2025

The key is that the AI must have sufficient data about the person to pull off the mimicry. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025

The mimicry of behaviors by a monarch needs to stop. —Barron Witherspoon Sr, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Kids Definition

mimicry

noun

mim·​ic·​ry ˈmim-i-krē 

plural mimicries

1

: the action, art, or an instance of mimicking

2

: a resemblance of one living thing to another or to natural objects among which it lives that gives it an advantage (as concealment or protection from predators)

Medical Definition

mimicry

noun

mim·​ic·​ry ˈmim-i-krē 

plural mimicries

: an instance of mimicking something