# emulation

/ˌɛmjəˈɫeɪʃən/ (US) · /ˌɛmjʊlˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/emulation
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. copying success

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of trying to do something as well as someone you admire.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. computing simulation

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

when one computer system acts like another so it can run the same software.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. jealous rivalry

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old-fashioned word for feeling jealous or competing in a negative way.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The student's work was a successful emulation of her teacher's style.
- Software emulation allows modern computers to run classic video games that were originally designed for obsolete hardware from the 1990s.
- While simple imitation merely copies outward behavior, true emulation involves understanding the underlying principles of a mentor's success to achieve a comparable level of excellence in one's own field.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.