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
Noun
During one portion of the opening event, a crew of breakdancing mimes used massive Louis Vuitton trunks as part of their chaotic choreography. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 26 July 2024 The director’s background in mime and comics bleeds into every frame, creating a heightened reality where the grotesque and the beautiful dance a savage tango. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2024
Verb
Further footage sees the Grammy-winner miming an air guitar and dancing to the music while her NFL star boyfriend grooves along with her. Shania Russell, EW.com, 10 Sep. 2024 One video, taken by a migrant trapped inside the hotel and shared by a journalist at The Times, shows a rioter miming the cutting of a neck. Armani Syed/london, TIME, 5 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mime 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mime.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near mime

Cite this Entry

“Mime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mime. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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