What does imitation mean?
Definitions for imitation
ˌɪm ɪˈteɪ ʃənim·i·ta·tion
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word imitation.
Princeton's WordNet
imitationnoun
the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations
imitationnoun
something copied or derived from an original
imitationnoun
copying (or trying to copy) the actions of someone else
caricature, imitation, impersonationadjective
a representation of a person that is exaggerated for comic effect
fake, false, faux, imitation, simulatedadjective
not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article
"it isn't fake anything; it's real synthetic fur"; "faux pearls"; "false teeth"; "decorated with imitation palm leaves"; "a purse of simulated alligator hide"
Wiktionary
imitationnoun
The act of imitating.
imitationnoun
A copy.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
Imitationnoun
Etymology: imitatio, Latin; imitation, French.
Since a true knowledge of nature gives us pleasure, a lively imitation of it, either in poetry or painting, must produce a much greater; for both these arts are not only true imitations of nature, but of the best nature. Dryden.
In the way of imitation, the translator not only varies from the words and sense, but forsakes them as he sees occasion; and, taking only some general hints from the original, runs division on the groundwork. Dryden.
ChatGPT
imitation
Imitation is the act of copying or reproducing someone's behavior, appearance, expression, or actions. It is often used as a learning strategy, especially in social and behavioral contexts. It involves replicating an observed behavior of a model or prototype with the goal of achieving a similar outcome.
Webster Dictionary
Imitationnoun
the act of imitating
Imitationnoun
that which is made or produced as a copy; that which is made to resemble something else, whether for laudable or for fraudulent purposes; likeness; resemblance
Imitationnoun
one of the principal means of securing unity and consistency in polyphonic composition; the repetition of essentially the same melodic theme, phrase, or motive, on different degrees of pitch, by one or more of the other parts of voises. Cf. Canon
Imitationnoun
the act of condition of imitating another species of animal, or a plant, or unanimate object. See Imitate, v. t., 3
Etymology: [L. imitatio: cf. F. imitation.]
Wikidata
Imitation
Imitation is an advanced behavior whereby an individual observes and replicates another's behavior. Imitation is also a form of social learning that leads to the "development of traditions, and ultimately our culture. It allows for the transfer of information between individuals and down generations without the need for genetic inheritance." The word imitation can be applied in many contexts, ranging from animal training to international politics.
The Roycroft Dictionary
imitation
The sincerest form of insult.
Usage in printed sourcesFrom:
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Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of imitation in Chaldean Numerology is: 1
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of imitation in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2
Examples of imitation in a Sentence
All art is but imitation of nature.
In an imitation we always lose the true expression, in a plagiarism we always become the superficial attempt to reach an unprecedented depth.
A cruder imitation of Donald Trump who stokes white supremacy and brags about being' ruthless and vicious,' Corey Stewart would be an embarrassment for Virginia in the Republican Senate.
Lukashenko will make an imitation of democracy like he did every time when he badly needed cash, the West has quite a short memory.
It’s proving capable of capturing the public’s imitation and shaping their baseline judgment about how bad things are, it acts as a crystallizing symbol for broader institutions not functioning.
Popularity rank by frequency of use
References
Translations for imitation
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- تقليدArabic
- imitacióCatalan, Valencian
- napodobenina, imitace, napodobeníCzech
- efterligning, imitationDanish
- Nachahmung, Imitation, Imitat, KopieGerman
- imitaciónSpanish
- jäljitelmä, jäljittely, imitaatio, kopioFinnish
- imitationFrench
- imitaciónGalician
- नकलीHindi
- imitazioneItalian
- 模倣, 真似, 模造品Japanese
- imitatioLatin
- imitasjonNorwegian
- navolgingDutch
- imitasjonNorwegian Nynorsk
- imitaçãoPortuguese
- imitare, imitațieRomanian
- подражание, имитацияRussian
- అనుకరణTelugu
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"imitation." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 18 Jan. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/imitation>.
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