What does "mock" mean?

1. (to tease or mimic) to laugh at someone or make them look silly by copying what they say or do. 2. (imitation or fake) not real, but made to look or seem like the real thing for practice. 3. (practice exam) an exam you take for practice before the real one.

How do you use "mock"?

Usually used in the plural form 'mocks' when referring to a series of exams.

mock

v. · adj. · n.

US //ˈmɑk// UK //mˈɒk// mock

1 to tease or mimic (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to laugh at someone or make them look silly by copying what they say or do.

to treat with contempt or ridicule, often by mimicking the subject's speech or actions in a derisive manner.

Example

The older children began to mock his accent after he moved to the new school.

Example

The satirist was known for his ability to mock the self-importance of local politicians through sharp, public imitations.
- praise
- flatter
2 imitation or fake (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

not real, but made to look or seem like the real thing for practice.

simulated or counterfeit; used to describe something that mimics a real object or event for training or deceptive purposes.

Example

The soldiers participated in a mock battle to prepare for the real conflict.

Example

The interior designer used mock marble for the pillars to achieve a luxury aesthetic without the prohibitive cost of the natural stone.
- genuine
- real

Show 1 more senseShow fewer

3 practice exam (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate British English

an exam you take for practice before the real one.

a trial examination taken as practice before a final or official assessment.

Example

I did quite well in my history mocks, so I feel confident about the finals.

Example

The school scheduled the mocks for early January to give students enough time to address their weaknesses before the summer session.

Usage

Usually used in the plural form 'mocks' when referring to a series of exams.
- trial
- practice test

Origin

From Middle English mokken, from Old French mocquer, moquier (“to deride, jeer”), from Middle Dutch mocken (“to mumble”) or Middle Low German mucken (“to grumble, talk with the mouth half-opened”), both from Proto-West Germanic mokkijan, mukkijan (“to low, bellow; mumble”), from Proto-Germanic mukkijaną, mūhaną (“to low, bellow, shout”), from Proto-Indo-European mūg-, mūk- (“to low, mumble”). Cognate with Dutch mokken (“to sulk; pout; mope; grumble”), Old High German firmucken (“to be stupid”), Modern German mucksen (“to utter a word; mumble; grumble”), West Frisian mokke (“to mope; sulk; grumble”), Swedish mucka (“to murmur”), dialectal Dutch mokkel (“kiss”).