mimicry

noun

mim·​ic·​ry ˈmi-mi-krē 

plural mimicries

1

a

: an instance of mimicking

b

: the action, practice, or art of mimicking

entertained his family with mimicry and comic skits

—Cynthia Ozick

2

: a superficial (see superficial sense 2b) resemblance of one organism to another or to natural objects among which it lives that secures it a selective advantage (such as protection from predation)

Examples of mimicry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The film stars Billy Zane as the iconic movie star Marlon Brando, and the makeup work here strikes an impressive balance between mimicry and authenticity. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024

More recent iterations have given him power replication, voice mimicry, size alteration, density control, and superhuman strength. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Smiling underwater: Exploring playful signals and rapid mimicry in bottlenose dolphins Nature. —Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024

This approach mirrors what behavioral scientists call associative mimicry: the deliberate alignment of a brand with the cultural codes and symbols of exclusivity. —Benjamin Voyer, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Kids Definition

mimicry

noun

mim·​ic·​ry ˈmim-i-krē 

plural mimicries

1

: the action, art, or an instance of mimicking

2

: a resemblance of one living thing to another or to natural objects among which it lives that gives it an advantage (as concealment or protection from predators)

Medical Definition

mimicry

noun

mim·​ic·​ry ˈmim-i-krē 

plural mimicries

: an instance of mimicking something