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Imitative Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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imitative

[หˆษชmษชหŒteษชtษชv ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

sound

Relating to or characterized by imitation.

Synonyms

copying, emulating, mimicking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
imitative

Used to describe something that is trying to mimic or replicate another thing, often in a way that lacks originality. This word can sometimes have a negative connotation, implying a lack of creativity.

  • Her artwork seemed more imitative of her teacher's style rather than showcasing her own creativity.
mimicking

Describes the act of imitating someone or something, often in an exaggerated or playful way. While it can be neutral, it often has a slightly humorous or mocking undertone.

  • The child enjoyed mimicking the sounds of different animals.
  • He was mimicking his friend's accent to make everyone laugh.
copying

Refers to the act of reproducing something exactly. This term is often used in educational or professional settings when someone reproduces another's work without changes. It can also have a negative connotation when referring to plagiarism.

  • He was caught copying answers during the test.
  • They made a perfect copy of the original document.
emulating

Used when someone is trying to match or surpass someone else's achievements or qualities, often seen as a form of admiration and striving for improvement. It usually has a positive connotation.

  • She spent years emulating the success of her role models in the industry.
  • The new software is designed to emulate the functionalities of the leading products.

Examples of usage

  • The imitative sounds of birds in the forest were mesmerizing.
  • Her imitative skills were so impressive that she could mimic anyone's voice effortlessly.
Context #2 | Noun

behavior

A person who copies the behavior or actions of another.

Synonyms

copycat, emulator, follower.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
imitative

This word is used when someone or something tries to imitate or replicate another, often in a creative or artistic context. It can be neutral or positive depending on the intent.

  • The artist's style is quite imitative of the classical masters.
  • Her imitative skills allowed her to reproduce the painting almost perfectly.
copycat

This word has a negative connotation and is used to describe someone who mimics another personโ€™s actions, ideas, or behaviors without originality.

  • He is just a copycat, stealing ideas from others without adding anything new.
  • The company's new product is seen as a copycat version of its competitor's design.
emulator

This word is typically used in a technical or software context, referring to a system or program that mimics the function of another system. It can also mean someone who strives to equal or surpass another person in qualities or achievements, often in a positive sense.

  • This old game runs on a modern computer using an emulator.
  • As an emulator of his mentor, he worked tirelessly to achieve similar success.
follower

This word is used to describe someone who adheres to the ideas, opinions, or leadership of another person. It often implies a lack of originality but is not necessarily negative.

  • He is a loyal follower of the new philosophy, always advocating its principles.
  • The social media influencer has thousands of followers who emulate her lifestyle.

Examples of usage

  • She is an imitative who always follows the latest fashion trends.
  • Children are often imitatives, learning by observing and mimicking the actions of adults around them.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Art and Literature

  • In literature, imitative works often pay homage to the style of famous authors, creating a dialogue between texts.
  • In the art world, many styles, like Impressionism, were inspired by earlier movements, demonstrating the power of imitation.
  • Imitative techniques are often used in poetry, where writers echo phrases or rhythms of others to create new meanings.

Psychology

  • Children learn a great deal through imitation, helping them develop language skills and social behaviors.
  • The phenomenon of social learning suggests humans and animals alike learn behaviors by watching and copying others.
  • Role models in education often show how imitative behavior can encourage positive habits in students.

Technology

  • In technology, imitative design is evident in products that mimic successful features from competitors.
  • Open-source software allows for imitative coding, where developers build upon others' work to create innovative applications.
  • Imitative algorithms in machine learning help teach computers by mimicking human decision-making processes.

Pop Culture

  • Many viral internet challenges are imitative, as participants copy each other's actions in videos to gain attention.
  • Imitating celebrity styles has led to many fashion trends, where what someone famous wears can become popular among fans.
  • Popular TV shows often feature characters that mimic each other for comedic effect, emphasizing the fun of imitation.

Origin of 'imitative'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'imitativus', which means 'to copy or mimic'.
  • The root 'imitare' means 'to copy' in Latin, giving insight into the fundamental meaning of copying.
  • The transition into English happened in the late 16th century, showing its long history in the language.

The word 'imitative' is derived from the verb 'imitate', which comes from the Latin word 'imitatus', meaning 'copied' or 'reproduced'. The concept of imitation has long been studied in psychology and philosophy, with theorists such as Aristotle and Plato exploring the role of imitation in learning and behavior. In modern usage, 'imitative' is often used to describe something that mimics or replicates the characteristics of another.

See also: imitated, imitating, imitatively.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,177, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.