mimic
/ˈmɪmɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɪmɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmi-mik/ (ame, mw) · /ˈmɪm.ɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɪm.ɪk/ (ame, ipa)
mimic — verb
- mimicpresent simple I / you / we / they
- mimicshe / she / it
- mimickedpast simple
- mimicking-ing form
- mimicedpast participle
1. to repeat a person's words, gestures, or tone of voice, often with slight exagge
to repeat a person's words, gestures, or tone of voice, often with slight exaggeration, so that an audience finds it amusing.
Gabriel mimicked the teacher's strict voice, and the whole class burst out laughing.
mimic + [person]'s [mannerism/voice/behavior]
At the comedy show, Femi mimicked the mayor's slow way of speaking perfectly.
The children laughed when Rin mimicked the way her dog begs for food.
Hannah can mimic regional accents after hearing only a few sentences.
Jason tried not to smile while he mimicked the principal's walk across the room.
文法句型
mimic + noun phrase (person or mannerism)
mimic + the way + clause
用法筆記
Frequently implies playful or humorous intent. Unlike 'imitate', which is neutral, this sense often suggests deliberate exaggeration for comic effect.
常見錯誤
2. to take on the appearance, sound, or function of something else, whether by natu
to take on the appearance, sound, or function of something else, whether by natural design (as in animals and plants that blend in) or by human engineering (as in machines and software).
Some insects mimic the color and shape of leaves to hide from hunters.
biological mimicry: mimic + appearance features
The robot arm mimics the natural movement of a human hand quite closely.
This photo app mimics the look of old film by adding grain and soft colors.
Some flowers mimic the smell of bad meat to bring flies near them.
文法句型
mimic + noun phrase (appearance/behavior/function)
用法筆記
Common in biology (describing natural mimicry) and technology (describing software or machines that simulate real-world features). The subject is usually an animal, plant, or machine, not a person acting deliberately.
mimic — noun
- mimicsingular
- mimicsplural
1. a person who has a natural talent for copying the sounds, movements, or way of s
a person who has a natural talent for copying the sounds, movements, or way of speaking of other people, often to amuse an audience.
Gita is a wonderful mimic — she can copy any voice she hears on television.
The party entertainer was a talented mimic who copied famous actors for the guests.
adjective + mimic: talented / wonderful / excellent
Dewi became known as the class mimic for her perfect copies of the teachers.
At the weekend market, Mayumi the mimic repeated the fish seller's shouts and drew a big crowd.
- impersonator
usually refers to a performer who takes on the identity of a specific celebrity
- copycat
informal; negative tone, suggesting unoriginality rather than talent
常見錯誤
mimic — adjective
- mimicpositive
- more mimiccomparative
- most mimicsuperlative
1. made to look like a real or original thing — for example, mimic fabric that look
made to look like a real or original thing — for example, mimic fabric that looks like stone, or a mimic voice system that sounds human.
The soldiers wore mimic uniforms that looked exactly like real army clothes.
mimic + noun (imitation version of [noun])
Mimic wallpaper textures give a room the feel of real stone or wood.
The artist created a mimic version of the famous statue using cheap materials.
The video game used a mimic voice system to make its characters sound real.
文法句型
mimic + noun
用法筆記
Always used before a noun (attributive position). Less common than the verb form; often found in technical, artistic, or descriptive writing rather than everyday speech.