English Reference

Word

imitation

Phoneticsim·i·ta·tion

US/ˌɪməˈteɪʃən/

UK/ˌɪmɪtˈeɪʃən/

Definitions

01the act of copying

B2

n. the act of copying the way someone speaks, moves, or behaves.

n. the act of mimicking or replicating the behaviour, speech, or appearance of another person.

“The comedian did a perfect imitation of the president's voice.”

“Children learn social cues through the constant imitation of their parents and peers during early developmental stages.”

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'of'.

Synonyms

02a copy

B2

n. a thing that is made to look like something else, usually a cheaper version.

n. a counterfeit or simulated object designed to resemble an original, often using less expensive materials.

“It looks like a real diamond, but it is actually just a clever imitation.”

“The museum warned collectors that several high-quality imitations of the Ming vase were circulating in the private market.”

Antonyms

03not real

B2

adj. made to look like something else, especially a natural material.

adj. functioning as an attributive modifier to describe a material that simulates a more expensive or natural substance.

“She prefers to wear imitation leather because she does not use animal products.”

“The set designer used imitation marble for the pillars to keep the production costs within the strict theatrical budget.”

Usage

Always placed before the noun it modifies.

Etymology

From Middle English imitacioun, from Middle French imitacion, from Old French imitacion, from Latin imitatio.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

imitateVerbimitationNoun

The word in film

Poster for Imitation of Life

Poster: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Imitation of Life · 1959 · Romance

Directed by:
Douglas Sirk
Starring:
Lana Turner, Mahalia Jackson, Sandra Dee

Douglas Sirk directs this melodrama following the intertwined lives of an ambitious white actress and her devoted Black housekeeper whose light-skinned daughter attempts to pass as white. The title critiques the artificial personas and emotional facades people adopt, living a counterfeit copy instead of an authentic life.

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/imitation

English Reference