imitate

play

verb im·i·tate \ˈi-mə-ˌtāt\

Definition of imitate

imitated

;

imitating

transitive verb
1 : to follow as a pattern, model, or example
2 : to be or appear like : resemble
3 : to produce a copy of : reproduce
4 : mimic, counterfeit can imitate his father's booming voice

imitator

play \ˈi-mə-ˌtā-tər\ noun

See imitate defined for English-language learners

See imitate defined for kids

Examples of imitate in a Sentence

Her style has been imitated by many other writers.
He's very good at imitating his father's voice.
She can imitate the calls of many different birds.

Recent Examples of imitate from the Web

Recent studies show that software which imitates the responsive role of a tutor rather than just cranking out questions and answers can indeed accelerate children’s learning.

— The Economist, "EdtechTechnology is transforming what happens when a child goes to school," 22 July 2017
The performers evoke their famous characters without actually trying to imitate them — a wise choice ... there can be only one Elvis.

— robert w. butler, kansascity, "Great balls of fire — New Theatre’s ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ strums along splendidly," 14 July 2017
Researchers studying ancient Roman concrete suggest the material could be imitated with modern resources to build seawalls around cities at risk of flooding from the ocean.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "The Ancient Romans' Concrete Recipe Could Help Us Beat Back Rising Seas," 5 July 2017
Vogue Femme is all about fluidity and imitating the movements of femqueens, a term of endearment used to identify trans women in the scene.

— rooney, Teen Vogue, "Voguing 101 With Cakes Da Killa," 30 June 2017
Then someone began hiring impostors to imitate them in clubs.

— dinitia smith, Daily Intelligencer, "Straight Outta Queens," 30 June 2017
There is even some bougie plasticware meant to imitate glass, which seems like a better investment than 23 packs of straws.

— alex beggs, Bon Appetit, "If I See One More Cocktail with a Paper Straw In It, I’ll Scream," 28 June 2017
And when the music imitates non-oceanic water, expressive intent becomes vague, and a kind of sameness sets in because water — whether hot, cold, clean, or dirty – is pretty much the same.

— david patrick stearns, Philly.com, "For an edgy treat, catch the Crossing's 'Month of Moderns' finale," 27 June 2017
The baby would be placed on the mother’s belly, gently massaged with bare hands, and eventually taken to a warm bath designed to imitate the amniotic fluid.

— harrison smith, Washington Post, "Frédérick Leboyer, whose light touch turned births into ‘nativities,’ dies at 98," 25 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of imitate

Latin imitatus, past participle of imitari — more at image

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1534

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of imitate

copy, imitate, mimic, ape, mock mean to make something so that it resembles an existing thing. copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible. copied the painting and sold the fake as an original imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation. imitate a poet's style mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation. pupils mimicking their teacher ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original. American fashion designers aped their European colleagues mock usually implies imitation with derision. mocking a vain man's pompous manner

IMITATE Defined for English Language Learners

imitate

play

verb

Definition of imitate for English Language Learners

: to make or do something the same way as (something else)
: to do the same thing as (someone)
: to copy (someone's or something's behavior, sound, appearance, etc.)

IMITATE Defined for Kids

imitate

play

verb im·i·tate \ˈi-mə-ˌtāt\

Definition of imitate for Students

imitated

;

imitating

1 : to follow as a pattern, model, or example He tried to imitate the older boys.
2 : to be or appear like : resemble The vinyl imitates leather.
3 : to copy exactly : mimic She can imitate bird calls.