ENGLISH
REFERENCE

imitate

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɪməˌteɪt// UK //ˈɪmɪtˌeɪt// im·i·tate

v. to copy the way someone speaks, moves, or behaves. You often do this to be funny or to learn a new skill.

v. to copy or mimic the actions, appearance, or speech of another. Often implies a conscious effort to reproduce specific characteristics for entertainment or instruction.


SIMPLE

He likes to imitate his favorite movie stars.

CONTEXTUAL

Young children often imitate their parents' behavior as a way of learning how to interact with the world.

COMPLEX

The comedian's ability to imitate the subtle vocal inflections of political leaders made his satire particularly effective and popular with audiences.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Latin imitātus, perfect active participle of imitor (“to copy, portray, imitate”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix). Cognate with French imiter.

Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

Pitfall

He imitated to his teacherHe imitated his teacherImitate is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'to' before the object.

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