copycat

noun, often attributive

copy·cat | \ ˈkä-pē-ˌkat

Definition of copycat

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : one who imitates or adopts the behavior or practices of another

2 : an imitative act or product copycat board games

copycat

verb

copycatted; copycatting

Definition of copycat (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to act as a copycat

transitive verb

: imitate

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about copycat

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Examples of copycat in a Sentence

Noun

She called me a copycat for wearing the same dress. every rock singer who makes it big soon has a whole cluster of copycats

Verb

asked her stylist to copycat a hairstyle from the magazine a performer who slavishly copycats another never rises to the level of true stardom

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The copycat paradox Take the iconic Chanel 2.55 handbag (pictured above). — Ephrat Livni, Quartzy, "Every invention you use has one thing in common," 18 June 2019 More than 30 reporters across the country were involved in the two-year investigation, which identified copycat bills in every state. — USA Today, "COPY, PASTE, LEGISLATE Progressives borrow strategy from anti-abortion groups: Use copycat legislation," 20 June 2019 More than 30 reporters across the country were involved in the two-year investigation, which identified copycat bills in every state. — AZCentral.com, "Never heard of model bills? Here's how they work.," 20 June 2019 The business plan sketched out 50 years ago on a cocktail napkin in a Texas hotel transformed the global airline industry, birthing copycats including Ryanair and AirAsia as well as the deregulation of the once-clubby U.S. aviation market in 1978. — Doug Cameron, WSJ, "Herb Kelleher, Fun-Loving Co-Founder of Southwest Airlines, Dies at 87," 3 Jan. 2019 Its early ratings success is likely to spur copycats in Hollywood, which is not known for its high percentage of conservatives. — John Koblin And Michael M. Grynbaum, New York Times, "‘Roseanne’ Reboot Sprang From ABC’s Heartland Strategy After Trump’s Victory," 29 Mar. 2018 The treat’s success has also inspired a host of copycats vying for their own spot on the cookie aisle. — Jolene Thym, The Mercury News, "Taste-Off: The best chocolate sandwich cookies," 8 June 2019 The PlayStation Classic is a copycat, and Sony seems largely unashamed by that fact. — Nick Statt, The Verge, "Sony’s PlayStation Classic is as simple and fun as you’d expect," 8 Nov. 2018 Heyward thwarted Hodges’ copycat crime on Feb. 21—at Mountain Top Faith Ministries’ Wednesday-night Bible study. — Michael Harriot, The Root, "How My Play Cousin Stopped a Mass Shooting and Disproved the Myth About Good Guys With Guns," 10 Mar. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

So the introduction of Facebook's new cryptocurrency next year—and perhaps copycat efforts down the road—could bolster bitcoin's value. — Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, "Bitcoin rises above $10,000 for the first time in a year," 21 June 2019 The Kardashian-Jenners are no strangers to copycat controversy. — Zoë Weiner, Teen Vogue, "People Accuse Kim Kardashian of Copying Urban Decay With Her KKW Beauty Cherry Blossom Collection," 12 Sep. 2018 Wentz’s impact is obvious, and Roseman’s moves influenced the Bears to copycat him with a similarly heavy commitment to the position a year later (bringing in Mike Glennon, Mark Sanchez and then Mitch Trubisky). — Albert Breer, SI.com, "Cleveland Browns Won’t Be Starting From Scratch in Evaluating the Draft’s Top Quarterbacks," 25 Jan. 2018 Now that the company is public, however, all eyes are on Snap to show huge growth, especially as Facebook’s (fb, +0.23%) competing Instagram service consistently debuts copycat features and tries to steal users. — Jonathan Vanian, Fortune, "After Rocky Year, CEO Evan Spiegel Is Still Happy Snap Went Public," 16 Feb. 2018 These individual cases, then, could not be attributed to copycat behavior. — Susan Scutti, CNN, "The woman who sweats blood from her palms and her face," 24 Oct. 2017 This copycat approach to investing has led to crushing losses for people tantalized by astronomical gains in the past. — Gail Marksjarvis, chicagotribune.com, "Why investors should be wary of bitcoin," 31 Aug. 2017 For now, police vans serve as deterrents to copycat assaults until Barcelona installs protective barriers. — Jeannette Neumann, WSJ, "In Barcelona, Crowds March Defiantly for Peace After Terrorist Attacks," 26 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'copycat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.