mime

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

Synonyms of mime

• imitate
• copy
• emulate
• mimic

Examples of mime in a Sentence

He mimed playing a guitar.

She mimed picking up the phone and dialing a number.

Recent Examples on the Web

Standing before the microphone on the Constitution Hall stage, Nikhil asked for the latter word’s definition, language of origin and other identifying information while his fingers mimed typing. —Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 27 May 2026

Instead of getting upset himself, Busch mimed wiping away fake tears to the crowd. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 May 2026

Both actors mimed inflating like balloons. —Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 18 May 2026

Hosseini mimed firing a shot at the flag of the UAE. —Jon Gambrell, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for mime

• chime
• chyme
• climb
• clime
• crime
• dime
• grime
• lime
• lyme
• prime
• rhyme
• slime

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