mimetic

adjective

mi·​met·​ic mə-ˈme-tik 

mī-

1

: imitative

2

: relating to, characterized by, or exhibiting mimicry

mimetic coloring of a butterfly

mimetically

mə-ˈme-ti-k(ə-)lē 

mī-

adverb

Synonyms

• apish
• canned
• emulative
• epigonic
• epigonous
• formulaic
• imitative
• mimic
• slavish
• unoriginal

Examples of mimetic in a Sentence

boys have a tendency toward mimetic behavior, often imitating their fathers at a fairly early age

Recent Examples on the Web

Arguably, the thing that makes acting an art form, rather than just a series of mimetic gestures, is the actor’s interpretation. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2024

Underneath it all, the mimetic mechanism is whirring, biding its time between crises. —Michelle Orange, Harper's Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023

Praise, though often hyperbolic or even mimetic, is more easily and leisurely measured out. —Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 5 Dec. 2023

Girard drew from his early-career studies of literary figures such as Proust the insight that desire is essentially imitative (or mimetic) rather than straightforwardly directed toward its apparent objects. —Michelle Orange, Harper's Magazine, 13 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin mimeticus, from Greek mimētikos, from mimeisthai to imitate, from mimos mime

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

mimetic

adjective

mi·​met·​ic mə-ˈmet-ik 

mī-

: relating to, characterized by, or exhibiting mimicry

mimetic coloring of a fish

Medical Definition

mimetic

adjective

mi·​met·​ic mə-ˈmet-ik  mī- 

: simulating the action or effect of

—usually used in combination

sympathomimetic drugs

adrenocorticomimetic activity