# mime

/ˈmaɪm/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mime
Updated: 2026-05-31

## Definition

a type of performance where an actor tells a story using only body movements and facial expressions. You do not use any words or sounds while performing this.

For teachers: a form of theatrical performance in which a narrative is conveyed through bodily movements and gestures, without the use of speech. Refers both to the art form itself and to a performer of this art.

## Examples

- The street performer used mime to pretend he was trapped in a box.
- The drama teacher encouraged the students to use mime to improve their physical awareness on stage.
- While modern audiences often associate mime with white-faced street performers, it remains a foundational technique in physical theatre for conveying complex emotional states without dialogue.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the art form; countable when referring to a specific performer or a specific act.

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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.