imitate
verb
im·i·tate
ˈi-mə-ˌtāt 
imitated; imitating
1
: to follow as a pattern, model, or example
Her style has been imitated by many other writers.
2
a
: to copy or repeat (the form, character, qualities, conduct, manners, etc.) of someone or something : mimic, counterfeit
can imitate his father's booming voice
The scout imitated the bird's call.
b
: to resemble by biological mimicry
chameleons imitating their background
The viceroy butterfly is said to imitate the monarch.
3
: to be or appear like : resemble
a fabric that imitates silk
4
: to produce a copy of : reproduce
… able to imitate the various brilliant and delightful touches of nature.—
Anne Brontë
Anne BrontëExamples of imitate in a Sentence
Her style has been imitated by many other writers.
He's very good at imitating his father's voice.
She can imitate the calls of many different birds.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hunters try to reverse nature by imitating hen calls and having males go to the females.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
Star Search was the first program of its kind, with a format imitated by just about every subsequent talent competition program since.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
It was endlessly parodied and imitated.
—CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
The aforementioned uprising, for example, occurs during a dance sequence that inspires an army of young women to imitate Ida, down to her peculiar face tattoos.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imitate
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Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
Star Search was the first program of its kind, with a format imitated by just about every subsequent talent competition program since.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
It was endlessly parodied and imitated.
—CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
The aforementioned uprising, for example, occurs during a dance sequence that inspires an army of young women to imitate Ida, down to her peculiar face tattoos.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imitate
Cite this Entry
“Imitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imitate. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
imitate
verb
im·i·tate
ˈim-ə-ˌtāt
imitated; imitating
1
: to follow as a pattern, model, or example
2
: to be or appear similar to
3
: to copy exactly
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