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

Greenidge also looks forward here to what is very much the most drastic of the post-COVID issues born of that time — the coming of artificial intelligence as a means for solving our problems, and what is looking more and more like a blurring of reality and simulacra. —Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026

The fake Woodsboro house exists inside a Scream movie that feels like a simulacrum of a Scream movie. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2026

At the heart of the Gezi Park protests was a stand against Erdoğan’s plans to convert one of the few remaining green spaces of Istanbul into a neo-Ottoman arcade, one of many development and construction programs initiated under the regime for the sake of the simulacrum of progress and development. —Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026

Along with Luke, Vader, Han Solo and Princess Leia on site, the simulacrum of the movies’ Outer Rim outpost of Batuu will also feature the iconic original musical scores composed by John Williams. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2026

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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