imitative

adjective

im·​i·​ta·​tive ˈi-mə-ˌtā-tiv How to pronounce imitative (audio)
 especially British  -tə-tiv
1
a
: marked by imitation
acting is an imitative art
b
: reproducing or representing a natural sound : onomatopoeic
"hiss" is an imitative word
c
: exhibiting mimicry
2
: inclined to imitate
3
: imitating something superior : counterfeit
imitatively adverb
imitativeness noun

Examples of imitative in a Sentence

The architecture is imitative of a Japanese temple. your writing style tends to be imitative of whichever author you've recently read
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.
Not surprisingly, Renaissance architects and writers ended up contriving very similar imitative strategies. Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025 However, Cassilly noted in his statement that Harford could face an additional $6 million in new funding mandates linked to teacher salaries and pensions from the statewide funding imitative, Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2025 Aziz rolled out a summer crime imitative in 2021, shortly after his tenure began. Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 30 July 2024 The Emory oak restoration imitative to preserve groves in the region recently marked its fifth anniversary, Peacey said. The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for imitative 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin imitātīvus, from Latin imitātus, past participle of imitārī "to follow as a pattern, imitate" + -īvus -ive

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of imitative was in 1584

Dictionary Entries Near imitative

Cite this Entry

“Imitative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imitative. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

imitative

adjective
im·​i·​ta·​tive ˈim-ə-ˌtāt-iv How to pronounce imitative (audio)
1
: involving imitation
2
: given to imitating
3
: imitating something better
imitatively adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on imitative

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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