imitate

verb

im·​i·​tate ˈi-mə-ˌtāt How to pronounce imitate (audio)
imitated; imitating

transitive verb

1
: to follow as a pattern, model, or example
2
: mimic, counterfeit
can imitate his father's booming voice
3
: to be or appear like : resemble
4
: to produce a copy of : reproduce
imitator noun
Choose the Right Synonym for 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, unoriginal, 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

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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Its release created a wave of immense hype—and existential panic—about AI's ability to imitate human communication and composition. ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2025 At its core is the capability of computer systems or algorithms to imitate intelligent human behavior – and in some cases improve how to interpret large amounts of data to make decisions and solve problems. Jill Standish, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 Dive right into the award-winning film's suspense as the cardinals gather to elect a new leader and watch as art imitates life this April. Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025 Although Penn Badgley is grateful for his breakout role as Dan Humphrey, the outsider character appears to have represented a bit of art imitating life. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for imitate

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin imitātus, past participle of imitārī "to follow as a pattern, copy," frequentative derivative of a presumed verb *imā- "make a copy," perhaps going back to Indo-European *h2im-, whence also Hittite hima-, himma- "substitute, replica, toy"

Note: Aside from Hittite, evidence for an etymon *h2im- is lacking. See also etymology and note at emulous.

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of imitate was in 1534

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Imitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imitate. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

imitate

verb
im·​i·​tate ˈim-ə-ˌtāt How to pronounce imitate (audio)
imitated; imitating
1
: to follow as a pattern, model, or example
2
: to be or appear similar to
3
: to copy exactly
imitator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on imitate

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