What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
emulate
Example
She hoped to emulate her mother's success in business. [emulate: verb]
Example
The athlete tried to emulate the world record holder's technique. [emulate: verb]
Example
The software was designed to emulate the experience of using a physical keyboard. [emulate: verb]
imitate
Example
The child loved to imitate her favorite cartoon characters. [imitate: verb]
Example
The parrot could imitate a variety of sounds, including human speech. [imitate: verb]
Example
The artist sought to imitate the style of the old masters in his paintings. [imitate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Imitate is more commonly used than emulate in everyday language. Imitate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while emulate is less common and refers to a more specific type of copying or reproduction.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between emulate and imitate?
Both emulate and imitate can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, emulate may be perceived as more formal due to its association with admiration or respect for the original.
