Word
emulation
Phoneticsem·u·la·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɛmjəˈɫeɪʃən/
UK/ˌɛmjʊlˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01copying success
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the act of trying to do something as well as someone you admire.
n. the effort or ambition to equal or surpass another person, typically through imitation of their positive qualities.
“His hard work at the office is worthy of emulation by the rest of the team.”
“The young artist's early works show a clear emulation of the Old Masters, though she eventually developed her own unique style.”
Usage
Often follows the verbs 'worthy of' or 'deserving'.
Synonyms
02computing simulation
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Computing Technical
n. when one computer system acts like another so it can run the same software.
n. the process of simulating the functions of one computer system by another, typically to run software designed for the original system.
“You can use emulation to play old video games on your modern laptop.”
“Software emulation allows developers to test mobile applications on a desktop environment without needing the physical handset.”
Usage
Commonly used as an uncountable noun in technical contexts.
Synonyms
03jealous rivalry
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Archaic
n. an old-fashioned word for feeling jealous or competing in a negative way.
n. ambitious or envious rivalry; a sense of contention between parties.
“The two brothers lived in a state of constant emulation for their father's attention.”
“The historian noted that the court was rife with bitter emulation, as each noble sought to undermine the other's standing with the king.”
Teaching tip
This sense is archaic; modern speakers almost exclusively use 'emulation' to mean positive imitation or technical simulation.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Like Apple and Qualcomm’s chips, this Nvidia chip is Arm-based silicon, meaning legacy Windows software made for Intel and AMD’s x86 processors needs to run through an emulation layer to work.” “The alternating fonts also make the letters seem to blink on and off as you read them from left to right, in emulation of digital ones and zeroes.” Etymology
From Middle French émulation, from Latin aemulātiō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/emulation