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

Told that imitation is the highest form of flattery, Steele guffaws. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

The Catholics in his government, from Supreme Court justices to Cabinet members to Vice President JD Vance, are acting as a rubber stamp for an imperious ruler, instead of imitations of Christ. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

The noise is loud, the imitation is everywhere and the hype shows no signs of clearing. — Juan Carlos Santiago, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Mitchell’s own imitation of Spielbergian life, despite its meticulous re-creation (and gleeful destruction) of eighties suburbia, stumbles into an uncanny valley between sincerity and cynicism, between unintentional comedy and deliberate homage. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 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