simulacrum

noun

sim·​u·​la·​crum ˌsim-yə-ˈla-krəm 

-ˈlā-

plural simulacra ˌsim-yə-ˈla-krə 

-ˈlā-

also simulacrums

1

: image, representation

… a reasonable simulacrum of reality …

—Martin Mayer

2

: an insubstantial form or semblance of something : trace

Did you know?

There is more than a crumb of similarity between simulacrum and simulate: both words come from simulāre, a Latin verb meaning "to pretend, produce a fraudulent imitation of, imitate." At the root of simulāre is the Latin adjective similis, which means "having characteristics in common." Many "similar" words trace back to similis, hence the resemblance between simulacrum and familiar terms like simultaneous, simile, and of course similarity.

Examples of simulacrum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the course of the last three weeks, some of the biggest names in the business of reporting on (and pontificating about) sports media have transformed themselves into a scruffy simulacrum of the town elders from Footloose. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Baudrillard is playing a little textual prank on us, inserting the simulacrum of a quotation into a book about simulacra. — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026

Human and animal circadian rhythms could be badly affected if the sun—or a simulacrum of it—never sets. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 14 July 2026

Still, Watt, having played a lion’s share of the instruments on Osbourne’s 2020 album Ordinary Man and Pop’s 2023 album Every Loser, is establishing a reputation for providing rock veterans with simulacra of their staple sounds. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "image, representation," borrowed from Latin simulācrum "likeness, visual representation, image, statue, outward appearance of a person or thing (as in the imagination or a dream), phantom, sham appearance," from simulāre "to pretend, produce a fraudulent imitation of, imitate" + -crum, suffix of instruments (dissimilated from *-clum, going back to *-tlom) — more at simulate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for simulacrum

• sacrum

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