mime

1 of 3

noun

ˈmīm How to pronounce mime (audio)
 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
4

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

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
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Noun
After a random stint as a mime in Paris, Rush got his big break in 1996, starring in Shine as the child-prodigy pianist David Helfgott. airmail.news, 8 Mar. 2025 The message, transmitted close to the audience as dancers Jessica Fiala and Tamara Nadel mime a slow-motion, rolling of dice, is crystal clear: There are consequences to gambling with karma. Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
Jenna Bush Hager and Husband Henry Say Son Hal, 5, Is ‘Jealous of Our Romance’ — and Will Start Crying When His Parents Kiss Munn could be seen laughing and miming locking her lips. Hannah Sacks, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025 Angus and Elsbeth hit it off right away, moving quickly from miming to speaking on the phone. Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mime

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of mime was in 1616

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mime. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

mime

1 of 2 noun
ˈmīm How to pronounce mime (audio)
ˈmēm
1
a
: an actor in a mime
b
: a person who practices mime
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

More from Merriam-Webster on mime

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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