mime

1 of 3

noun

ˈmīm 

 also  ˈmēm

1

: an ancient dramatic entertainment representing scenes from life usually in a ridiculous manner

2

a

: an actor in a mime

b

: one that practices mime

3

: mimic sense 2

4

: pantomime sense 3

mime

2 of 3

verb

mimed; miming

intransitive verb

: to act a part with mimic gesture and action usually without words

transitive verb

1

: mimic

2

: to act out in the manner of a mime

mimer noun

MIME

3 of 3

abbreviation

multipurpose Internet mail extensions

Synonyms

Noun

• mimic
• mummer
• pantomime
• pantomimist

Verb

• ape
• copy
• copycat
• emulate
• imitate
• mimic

Examples of mime in a Sentence

Noun

an actor with a gift for mime

a performance done in mime

an actor who is a talented mime

Verb

He mimed playing a guitar.

She mimed picking up the phone and dialing a number.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Back in Colombia in the 1990s, then-mayor Antanas Mockus replaced 1,800 traffic cops with just 20 mimes, who used silent performance to mock reckless drivers and praise good behavior. —Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 7 May 2025

Everyone is almost always wearing berets and striped shirts, while extras roam the streets in mime makeup. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2025

Verb

Through clowning and miming, Neill tries to eat a cupcake with a dog collar on, play the guitar and face his own fears — even encouraging the audience to hurl insults at him during one part of the show. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2025

Jenna Bush Hager and Husband Henry Say Son Hal, 5, Is ‘Jealous of Our Romance’ — and Will Start Crying When His Parents Kiss Munn could be seen laughing and miming locking her lips. —Hannah Sacks, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin mimus, from Greek mimos

First Known Use

Noun

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1728, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for mime

• chime
• chyme
• climb
• clime
• crime
• dime
• grime
• lime
• lyme
• prime
• rhyme
• slime

Kids Definition

mime

1 of 2 noun

ˈmīm 

ˈmēm

1

a

: an actor in a mime

b

: a person who practices mime

2

: mimic sense 2

3

: an ancient play or skit representing scenes from life usually in a ridiculous manner

4

: the art of showing a character or telling a story by body movements

mime

2 of 2 verb

mimed; miming

1

: to act in a mime

2

: to imitate closely : mimic

3

: to act out in the manner of a mime