Word
copycat
Phoneticscopy·cat
US/ˈkɑpiˌkæt/
UK/kˈɒpɪkˌæt/
Informal
Definition
n. someone who copies the actions of another person, often in a way that is annoying or dangerous. It can also describe a person who tries to be like someone famous or powerful.
n. a person who imitates the actions or appearance of another, often in a manner perceived as inferior or unoriginal. In a legal or social context, it refers to an individual who replicates the behavior of a previous perpetrator, typically in a criminal or violent act.
Examples
“He is a total copycat who always wears the same clothes as his friends.”
“The police are investigating a copycat who seems to be following the same pattern as the original thief.”
“The rise of social media has made it easier for a copycat to mimic the public persona of a celebrity, often leading to a dilution of the original brand's identity.”
Examples
simple
“He is a total copycat who always wears the same clothes as his friends.”
contextual
“The police are investigating a copycat who seems to be following the same pattern as the original thief.”
complex
“The rise of social media has made it easier for a copycat to mimic the public persona of a celebrity, often leading to a dilution of the original brand's identity.”
Real-World Examples
“Lidl must stop selling copycat versions of Birkenstock's famous sandals in the Netherlands, a Dutch court has ruled.” “Quick versions can be made in minutes from a few seconds of audio, but high-quality copycats tend to require hours.” Etymology
Originally American English, from copy + cat (“former derogatory term for a person”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/copycat