mimetic

adjective

mi·​met·​ic mə-ˈme-tik 

mī-

1

: imitative

2

: relating to, characterized by, or exhibiting mimicry

mimetic coloring of a butterfly

mimetically

mə-ˈme-ti-k(ə-)lē 

mī-

adverb

Synonyms of mimetic

• imitative
• imitation

Examples of mimetic in a Sentence

boys have a tendency toward mimetic behavior, often imitating their fathers at a fairly early age

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s supposed to be mimetic of speech. — Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026

These mimetic dynamics play out not just within countries but between them. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025

To get robotic collectives closer to Terminator’s mimetic polyalloy, the team wants to make the robots smaller. — Ars Technica, 1 Mar. 2025

This image oscillates between mimetic naturalism and the geometry of the digital design process. — Thomas Demand, Artforum, 2 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin mimeticus, from Greek mimētikos, from mimeisthai to imitate, from mimos mime

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mimetic

• acetic
• aesthetic
• ascetic
• athletic
• cosmetic
• diegetic
• eidetic
• emetic
• esthetic
• frenetic
• genetic
• helvetic

Kids Definition

mimetic

adjective

mi·​met·​ic mə-ˈmet-ik 

mī-

: relating to, characterized by, or exhibiting mimicry

mimetic coloring of a fish

Medical Definition

mimetic

adjective

mi·​met·​ic mə-ˈmet-ik  mī- 

: simulating the action or effect of

—usually used in combination

sympathomimetic drugs

adrenocorticomimetic activity