mime

1 of 3

noun

ˈmīm 

also ˈmēm

1

: an ancient dramatic entertainment representing scenes from life usually in a ridiculous manner

2

a

: an actor in a mime

b

: one that practices mime

3

: mimic sense 2

4

: pantomime sense 3

mime

2 of 3

verb

mimed; miming

intransitive verb

: to act a part with mimic gesture and action usually without words

transitive verb

1

: mimic

2

: to act out in the manner of a mime

mimer noun

MIME

3 of 3

abbreviation

multipurpose Internet mail extensions

Synonyms of mime

Noun

• performer
• pantomime
• clown

Verb

• imitate
• copy
• emulate
• mimic

Examples of mime in a Sentence

Noun

an actor with a gift for mime

a performance done in mime

an actor who is a talented mime

Verb

He mimed playing a guitar.

She mimed picking up the phone and dialing a number.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

From ringmasters and lions to clowns and mimes, everyone went all out with their party attire. —Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026

Expertise in using one’s body (think dancers or mimes). —Big Think, 6 Apr. 2026

Verb

In a scene from the video that became local lore, Johann Gudenus, the former vice mayor of Vienna, mimed a pistol with his fingers while discussing untraceable donations to the FPÖ. —Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026

Panahi mimed cradling a reptile the size of a kitten. —H. C. Wilentz, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin mimus, from Greek mimos

First Known Use

Noun

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1728, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for mime

• chime
• chyme
• climb
• clime
• crime
• dime
• grime
• lime
• lyme
• prime
• rhyme
• slime

Kids Definition

mime

1 of 2 noun

ˈmīm 

ˈmēm

1

a

: an actor in a mime

b

: a person who practices mime

2

: mimic sense 2

3

: an ancient play or skit representing scenes from life usually in a ridiculous manner

4

: the art of showing a character or telling a story by body movements

mime

2 of 2 verb

mimed; miming

1

: to act in a mime

2

: to imitate closely : mimic

3

: to act out in the manner of a mime