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imitate

[ˈɪm.ɪ.teɪt]

imitate Definition

  • 1to copy the way someone behaves, speaks, moves, etc., especially in order to make people laugh
  • 2to behave in a similar way to someone or something else, or to copy the speech or behaviour, etc. of someone or something
  • 3to produce a copy of something

Using imitate: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "imitate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    She can imitate several different foreign accents.

  • Example

    He was imitating Elvis Presley when he sang.

  • Example

    The painting imitates the style of Picasso.

imitate Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for imitate

Phrases with imitate

  • people imitate those they admire because they want to be like them

    Example

    She started dressing like her boss, but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

  • a synthetic material that looks like leather

    Example

    The couch was made of imitation leather.

  • a type of seafood made from fish meat that has been processed to resemble crab meat

    Example

    She made a salad with imitation crab.

Origins of imitate

from Latin 'imitatus', past participle of 'imitari', meaning 'to copy'

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Summary: imitate in Brief

To 'imitate' [ˈɪm.ɪ.teɪt] is to copy someone's behavior, speech, or movement, often for humorous effect. It can also mean to behave similarly to someone or something else, or to produce a copy of something. Examples include 'She can imitate several different foreign accents,' and 'The painting imitates the style of Picasso.' 'Imitation' extends into phrases like 'imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,' and products like 'imitation leather.'

How do native speakers use this expression?