rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryemulateImitating to match or surpass
verb

emulate

EM-yoo-layt/ˈemjuleɪt/

To imitate someone or something in order to match or surpass its qualities or performance.

The ballet student emulates the admired instructor by carefully matching the arm pose.

Modern adult young Asian ballet student mirrors admired older Black instructor's simple standing arm pose beside them in studio, same clear pose, fully clothed, no mirrors or text.
Etymology
emulateLatinto rival, strive to excel

Latin aemulari expresses rivalry: copying people with the aim of matching or surpassing them. Emulate retains that competitive purpose, whether formed directly from the Latin verb or back-formed from emulation.

In context

Jacob Geller35:08
how CGI artists had to flatten out the image, add the effects, then re-warp it back to the fisheye look. Like Blair Witch, the film is making real efforts to emulate a non-filmic visual style.
Reality is a Camera Trick: Film, Bodycams, and the First-Person Shooter

More examples

  • Our team hopes to emulate last year's success.
  • She emulates her mentor's calm approach to difficult conversations.
  • Other restaurants have emulated its efficient service.

Forms

emulate · emulates · emulated · emulating

emulation noun — Imitation intended to equal or surpass.

Similar words

imitate
Means following a model without necessarily aiming to equal it.
copy
Emphasizes reproducing details rather than matching or surpassing overall quality.