mimicry

noun

mim·​ic·​ry ˈmi-mi-krē 

plural mimicries

1

a

: an instance of mimicking

b

: the action, practice, or art of mimicking

entertained his family with mimicry and comic skits

—Cynthia Ozick

2

: a superficial (see superficial sense 2b) resemblance of one organism to another or to natural objects among which it lives that secures it a selective advantage (such as protection from predation)

Examples of mimicry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The success of the Ghibli meme marks a new chapter in the evolution of A.I. mimicry. —Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2025

Most examples of Batesian mimicry involve a relatively simple disguise: a snake without venom simply donning the warning colors of a venomous snake, for example. —Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 20 Mar. 2025

But the practices diffused, through mimicry, to the lower orders. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025

It was established in 2021 to emulate the strength and agility of biological creatures, addressing the difficult task of human body mimicry. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Kids Definition

mimicry

noun

mim·​ic·​ry ˈmim-i-krē 

plural mimicries

1

: the action, art, or an instance of mimicking

2

: a resemblance of one living thing to another or to natural objects among which it lives that gives it an advantage (as concealment or protection from predators)

Medical Definition

mimicry

noun

mim·​ic·​ry ˈmim-i-krē 

plural mimicries

: an instance of mimicking something