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

As an array of studies—and users themselves—attest, this mimicry has very real effects on peoples’ ability and willingness to trust a chatbot. —Remaya M. Campbell, Scientific American, 17 July 2023

And back in April, a song featuring artificially intelligent mimicry of Drake and the Weeknd went viral. —Brian Contreras, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2023

Music publishers are currently pushing for a federal right of publicity law to combat voice mimicry in AI tracks that would likely also help actors and other creators. —Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Oct. 2023

Behaviors such as these raise the possibility that whatever mimicry takes place in this species is not based on theory of mind, but a process that is more akin to trial-and-error learning. —Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2023

Either way, the study adds to the scant overall knowledge of defenses against mimicry and brood parasitism. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 July 2023

When a computer provokes real human responses in us—engaging our intellect, our amazement, our gratitude, our empathy, even our fear—that is more than empty mimicry. —WIRED, 10 Aug. 2023

When discussing the scene, Atwell heaped praise on Kirby’s mimicry of her mannerisms and pointed to a small tell in her co-star’s performance that distinguished the transition from Alanna to Grace. —Angelique Jackson, Variety, 17 July 2023

This talent for mimicry is especially useful now, as antitrust regulators appear ready to pounce upon Big Tech acquisitions. —Scott Nover, Quartz, 6 July 2023

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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