simulacrum

noun

sim·​u·​la·​crum ˌsim-yə-ˈla-krəm 

-ˈlā-

plural simulacra ˌsim-yə-ˈla-krə 

-ˈlā-

also simulacrums

1

: image, representation

… a reasonable simulacrum of reality …

—Martin Mayer

2

: an insubstantial form or semblance of something : trace

Did you know?

There is more than a crumb of similarity between simulacrum and simulate: both words come from simulāre, a Latin verb meaning "to pretend, produce a fraudulent imitation of, imitate." At the root of simulāre is the Latin adjective similis, which means "having characteristics in common." Many "similar" words trace back to similis, hence the resemblance between simulacrum and familiar terms like simultaneous, simile, and of course similarity.

Examples of simulacrum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Gwen Nally, associate professor of philosophy at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, argues that current chatbots deliver only the simulacrum of affection. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 Nov. 2025

The more philosophical among them point out that humans have been making simulacra of our bodies for millennia. —James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025

Both Varèse and Ives create simulacra of modern disorder, setting orchestral groups against one another until pitch disappears into noise. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025

Netflix often seems to commission works that end up as forgettable, mediocre simulacra of Oscar-winning movies or prestige television shows. —Andrew Bernard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "image, representation," borrowed from Latin simulācrum "likeness, visual representation, image, statue, outward appearance of a person or thing (as in the imagination or a dream), phantom, sham appearance," from simulāre "to pretend, produce a fraudulent imitation of, imitate" + -crum, suffix of instruments (dissimilated from *-clum, going back to *-tlom) — more at simulate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for simulacrum

• sacrum

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