mime

1 of 3

noun

ˈmīm 

 also  ˈmēm

1

: an ancient dramatic entertainment representing scenes from life usually in a ridiculous manner

2

a

: an actor in a mime

b

: one that practices mime

3

: mimic sense 2

4

: pantomime sense 3

mime

2 of 3

verb

mimed; miming

intransitive verb

: to act a part with mimic gesture and action usually without words

transitive verb

1

: mimic

2

: to act out in the manner of a mime

mimer noun

MIME

3 of 3

abbreviation

multipurpose Internet mail extensions

Synonyms

Noun

• mimic
• mummer
• pantomime
• pantomimist

Verb

• ape
• copy
• copycat
• emulate
• imitate
• mimic

Examples of mime in a Sentence

Noun

an actor with a gift for mime

a performance done in mime

an actor who is a talented mime

Verb

He mimed playing a guitar.

She mimed picking up the phone and dialing a number.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

During the space of about a presidential term, Bowie went from Marc Bolan’s personal mime to a coffeehouse space oddity before settling on Ziggy Stardust, the androgynous alien hero of his classic 1972 album, sent from Mars to liberate the people of Earth from their hangups. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2024

Street performers, mimes and musicians also will line the mall and restaurants will offer patio seating. —Samantha Wurm, Twin Cities, 12 June 2024

Verb

Maestro has a lot to do, including a preshow mimed ball-tossing bit where the balls are actually beams of light, with drumbeats helping set the illusion. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2024

At the same time, one player becomes the first person in history to successfully mime The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Rotations, which the others get right away. —Jeremy Fassler, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin mimus, from Greek mimos

First Known Use

Noun

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1728, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

mime

1 of 2 noun

ˈmīm 

ˈmēm

1

a

: an actor in a mime

b

: a person who practices mime

2

: mimic sense 2

3

: an ancient play or skit representing scenes from life usually in a ridiculous manner

4

: the art of showing a character or telling a story by body movements

mime

2 of 2 verb

mimed; miming

1

: to act in a mime

2

: to imitate closely : mimic

3

: to act out in the manner of a mime