mime

1 of 3

noun

ˈmīm How to pronounce mime (audio)
 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
4

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

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
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.
Noun
Sanders responded by silently mouthing words without speaking, like a mime. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025 After the news broke, Sanders, selected by the Browns with the 144th overall pick in the fifth round, appeared to be joking with reporters about it and pretended to be a mime while reporters tried to get his thoughts on the team's QB move. Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
The Beck-Page Yardbirds appear in that film, miming to the song at a rock club in a performance that culminates with Beck smashing his guitar. Jem Aswad, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025 Who’s decided that there will be no tree on this country road and that all props — carrots, bags and baskets, whip — will be mimed in thin air? Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mime

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of mime was in 1616

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mime. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

mime

1 of 2 noun
ˈmīm How to pronounce mime (audio)
ˈmēm
1
a
: an actor in a mime
b
: a person who practices mime
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

More from Merriam-Webster on mime

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