imitation

1 of 2

noun

im·​i·​ta·​tion ˌi-mə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: an act or instance of imitating

Children learn by imitation of adults.

He did a hilarious imitation of his father.

2

: something produced as a copy : counterfeit

a cheap/poor imitation

an imitation of mid-century architecture

3

: a literary work designed to reproduce the style of another author

4

: the repetition by one voice of a melody, phrase, or motive stated earlier in the composition by a different voice

5

philosophy : the quality of an object in possessing some of the nature or attributes of a transcendent idea

6

psychology : the conscious or unconscious assumption of behavior observed in other individuals

imitation

2 of 2

adjective

: resembling something else that is usually genuine and of better quality : not real

imitation leather

Synonyms of imitation

Noun

• reproduction
• copy
• replica

Adjective

• faux
• synthetic
• simulated
• fake
• artificial
• imitative
• dummy

Examples of imitation in a Sentence

Noun

Children learn by imitation of adults.

The restaurant was designed in imitation of a Japanese temple.

He did a hilarious imitation of his father.

The real diamonds are in a museum. These are just imitations.

Adjective

the stage production uses only imitation diamonds, as real gems would be prohibitively expensive

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That logic matters for retailers because beauty is highly compatible with cultural imitation. — Darko Pavic, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Far from suggesting an absence of intelligence, that theory goes, imitation may be a facet of it. — Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026

Voters will just go with the real thing as opposed to the imitation. — Jim Defede, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026

While third baseman Josh Rojas was doing his best Johnny Cueto imitation in the ninth inning of the Royals’ 10-2 loss to the Cubs on Sunday, the team was finalizing a deal to get bullpen help. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English ymytacyoun "emulation," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French imitacion, borrowed from Latin imitātiōn-, imitātiō "action of copying, copy," from imitārī "to follow as a pattern, imitate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

Adjective

from attributive use of imitation entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1818, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing imitation

• pale imitation

Rhymes for imitation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

imitation

1 of 2 noun

im·​i·​ta·​tion ˌim-ə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: an act of imitating

2

: something produced as a copy

imitation

2 of 2 adjective

: resembling something else especially of better quality

imitation pearls

imitation leather