Copycat: meaning, definitions and examples

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copycat

[ ˈkɒpikat ]

^{Context #1}

animal behavior

A person who imitates or copies the behavior, actions, or words of another.

Synonyms

emulator, follower, imitator, mimic

Examples of usage

He is such a copycat, always trying to dress like me.
She's a copycat when it comes to choosing the same vacation spots.
Don't be a copycat and come up with your own original ideas.

^{Context #2}

informal

A product that imitates or closely resembles another.

Synonyms

imitation, knockoff, replica

Examples of usage

This phone is just a copycat of the original model.
The store was selling copycat versions of popular designer clothing.

^{Context #3}

informal

To imitate or mimic someone or something, especially in a way that lacks originality.

Synonyms

emulate, imitate, mimic

Examples of usage

She always copycats her favorite celebrities' hairstyles.
He copycatted his friend's way of speaking.

Translations

Translations of the word "copycat" in other languages:

🇵🇹 copião

🇮🇳 नकलची

🇩🇪 Nachahmer

🇮🇩 peniru

🇺🇦 наслідувач

🇵🇱 naśladowca

🇯🇵 真似する人

🇫🇷 copieur

🇪🇸 imitador

🇹🇷 taklitçi

🇰🇷 모방자

🇸🇦 مقلد

🇨🇿 napodobitel

🇸🇰 napodobiteľ

🇨🇳 模仿者

🇸🇮 posnemovalec

🇮🇸 eftirlíking

🇰🇿 еліктеуші

🇬🇪 მიმბაძველი

🇦🇿 təqlidçi

🇲🇽 imitador

Word origin

The term 'copycat' originated in the 1880s, derived from the combination of 'copy' and 'cat'. It was originally used to describe animals that imitated others, particularly referring to monkeys. Over time, the term evolved to describe people who imitate or mimic others, often in a derogatory manner. In modern usage, 'copycat' can refer to both individuals who imitate others and products that closely resemble existing ones.