mimic

1 of 3

verb

mim·​ic ˈmi-mik How to pronounce mimic (audio)
mimicked ˈmi-mikt How to pronounce mimic (audio) ; mimicking
Synonyms of mimic

transitive verb

1
: to imitate closely : ape
He mimicked her accent.
2
: to ridicule by imitation
The comic mimicked the president's mannerisms.
3
: simulate
… vegetable dishes that mimic meat.—Caroline Bates
4
: to resemble by biological mimicry
a butterfly that mimics a leaf

mimic

2 of 3

noun

1
: one that mimics
2
: mime sense 2
She's a talented mimic.

mimic

3 of 3

adjective

1
a
: imitative
b
: imitation, mock sense 2
a mimic battle
2
: of or relating to mime or mimicry

Synonyms of mimic

Relevance

Verb

Noun

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for mimic

copy, imitate, mimic, ape, mock mean to make something so that it resembles an existing thing.

copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.

copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.

imitate a poet's style

mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation.

pupils mimicking their teacher

ape may suggest presumptuous, unoriginal, or inept imitating of a superior original.

American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

mock usually implies imitation with derision.

mocking a vain man's pompous manner

Examples of mimic in a Sentence

Verb The lamp mimics natural sunlight. a butterfly that mimics a leaf Noun a gifted mimic who can do a terrific imitation of anyone's voice a mimic in black clothes and white facial makeup Adjective police were concerned that the mimic gun, although intended only as a toy, might be confused with the real thing in certain situations a mimic battle fought by kids playing around in the schoolyard
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The ribbed detailing along the hem is mimicked along the sleeves to add texture, and the buttoned neckline is monochromatic for a super streamlined look. — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 The tilted surfaces were mostly chosen to mimic raindrops in the real world. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
The latter line, in its phrasing and melody and even the musical tone of its words, is an almost perfect mimic of Santa Claus asking Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to guide his sleigh. — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 14 July 2026 In design reviews, require product owners to specify which consumer or internal patterns the new workflow mimics; adjust UI labels and steps to match those mental models. — Guy Yehiav, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mimic

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Verb, and Noun

Latin mimicus, from Greek mimikos, from mimos mime

First Known Use

Verb

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of mimic was in 1596

Rhymes for mimic

See All Rhymes for mimic

Browse Nearby Words

mimiambi
mimic
mimical
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mimic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mimic. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

mimic

1 of 3 noun
mim·​ic ˈmim-ik How to pronounce mimic (audio)
1
: mime entry 1 sense 1
2
: one that mimics

mimic

2 of 3 adjective
1
: imitative sense 2
2
: imitation entry 2, mock

mimic

3 of 3 verb
mimicked ˈmim-ikt How to pronounce mimic (audio) ; mimicking
1
: to imitate closely
2
: to make fun of by imitating
3
: to resemble by biological mimicry
an insect that mimics a leaf

Medical Definition

mimic

1 of 2 noun
mim·​ic ˈmim-ik How to pronounce mimic (audio)
: one that mimics
a mimic of a naturally occurring hormone

mimic

2 of 2 transitive verb
mimicked -ikt How to pronounce mimic (audio) ; mimicking
: to imitate or resemble closely: as
a
: to imitate the symptoms of
an acute inflammatory process located in the ileocecal region mimics acute appendicitis—Merck Manual
b
: to produce an effect and especially a physiological effect similar to
chemically unrelated to the hormone that it mimics—Chemical & Engineering News
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