- Imitate is defined as to copy or use something as a model.
An example of imitate is for a child to copy his older sibling's every move.
A little girl imitates her mother.
transitive verbimitated, imitating
- to seek to follow the example of; take as one's model or pattern
- to act the same as; impersonate; mimic
- to reproduce in form, color, etc.; make a duplicate or copy of
- to be or become like in appearance; resemble: glass made to imitate diamonds
Origin of imitate; from Classical Latin imitatus, past participle of imitari, to imitate, akin to aemulus: see emulate
transitive verbim·i·tat·ed, im·i·tat·ing, im·i·tates
- To use or follow as a model: Your brother imitates you because he admires you.
- a. To copy the mannerisms or speech of; mimic: amused her friends by imitating the teachers.b. To copy (mannerisms or speech): Can you imitate his accent?
- To copy exactly; reproduce: “drugs that can imitate the hormone's positive effects while reducing its adverse effects” (The Scientist).
- To appear like; resemble: a fishing lure that imitates a minnow.
Origin of imitateLatin imitārī, imitāt-; see aim- in Indo-European roots.
(third-person singular simple present imitates, present participle imitating, simple past and past participle imitated)
From Latin imitatus, past participle of imitari (“to copy, portray, imitate”).