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DictionaryimitateCopying
verb

imitate

IM-ih-tayt/ˈɪmɪteɪt/

To copy the behavior or qualities of someone or something.

The child imitates the father's pose.

Child copying father pose.
Etymology
imitateLatinto copy, portray

Latin imitari connects copying with portraying a model through recognizable features. The English verb may have been formed from imitation or imitator rather than taken directly from Latin.

In context

Robert Greene 1:17
they pretend to love all of his ideas they imitate him they wear the same clothes they mimic all of his ideas
Play The Game of Power

More examples

  • She imitated his voice.
  • They are imitating the pattern.
  • The design imitates a leaf.

Forms

imitate · imitates · imitated · imitating

imitation noun — a copy or the act of copying

Similar words

copy
The ordinary broad equivalent.
mimic
Often copies behavior or sound closely.