What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mime
Example
The mime artist performed a beautiful piece that left the audience in awe. [mime: noun]
Example
She mimed the actions of a bird with her hands and arms. [mimed: past tense verb]
mimic
Example
He could mimic the voice of his favorite actor perfectly. [mimic: verb]
Example
The parrot was able to mimic the sound of a telephone ringing. [mimic: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mimic is more commonly used than mime in everyday language. Mimic is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while mime is less common and refers to a specific type of performance art.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mime and mimic?
While mime is typically associated with a formal and artistic tone, mimic can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
