imitate
gb/ˈɪmətˌeɪt/ us/ˈɪmətˌeɪt/
B1
English
~ 6400
utánoz, parodizál, imitál, követ
VERB
B1
1
utánoz
A2
Usage pattern:
to imitate [someone/something]
Children often imitate their parents without even realizing it.
A gyerekek gyakran utánozzák a szüleiket anélkül, hogy észrevennék.
New employees tend to imitate the working style of their team.
Az új munkatársak hajlamosak utánozni a csapatuk munkastílusát.
He tried to imitate his coach's calm attitude under pressure.
Many startups imitate the business models of successful tech companies.
She imitates the habits of people she admires in order to grow.
Learner examples
Small children imitate what they see on TV.
A kisgyerekek utánozzák azt, amit a tévében látnak.
I try to imitate my teacher because she is very kind.
Próbálom utánozni a tanáromat, mert nagyon kedves.
Animals can imitate each other to learn new things.
He imitates his older brother in almost everything.
The students imitate the way the expert solves the problem.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"imitate like"* (e.g., *"Children imitate like their parents"*). Use *imitate* directly with an object: *"Children imitate their parents."* Another confusion is with *follow*: *"follow"* means to go after or accept someone's ideas, while *imitate* means to copy actions or behavior.
Meaning
copy someone’s actions or behavior
Collocations
imitate someone's behavior
|imitate a role model
|imitate a parent
|imitate real life
|try to imitate
|difficult to imitate
Synonyms
copy (Most general and common word; focuses on doing the same thing without suggesting respect or a goal of improvement.)
|
emulate (More formal; often suggests copying in order to be as good as or better than someone admired.)
Antonyms
innovate (Emphasizes creating something new or different instead of doing what someone else does.)
Themes
social
|education
|daily-life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To act or do something in the same way as another person or thing.
To do the same things as someone or something, especially as a model, example, or way of learning.
VERB
B1
2
Usage pattern:
to imitate [someone] / to imitate [someone]'s voice
She can imitate her boss's voice so perfectly that the whole office laughs.
Olyan tökéletesen tudja utánozni a főnöke hangját, hogy az egész iroda nevetni kezd.
The actor imitated several famous politicians during his stand‑up show.
A színész több híres politikust is parodizált a stand-up előadásában.
He likes to imitate animal noises to entertain the children.
Teenagers sometimes imitate their favorite celebrities' way of speaking.
The parrot could imitate the sound of the phone ringing.
Learner examples
He can imitate his teacher's voice very well.
Nagyon jól tudja utánozni a tanára hangját.
The boy imitates the way his father walks.
A fiú utánozza, ahogy az apja jár.
My friend likes to imitate movie stars and make us laugh.
The bird can imitate many different sounds.
She imitates her sister when she is joking.
Common mistake:
Learners may use *copy* instead of *imitate* in performance contexts (e.g., *"He copies his teacher's voice"*). While understandable, *imitate* or *mimic* sound more natural when talking about voice, accent, or funny behavior.
Meaning
mimic someone’s voice or manner
Collocations
imitate someone's voice
|imitate someone's accent
|imitate someone's mannerisms
|imitate animal sounds
|imitate a character
|do an imitation of [someone]
Synonyms
mimic (Very close in meaning; often slightly more informal and strongly associated with imitating voice or movements for comedy.)
|
impersonate (Often used when someone pretends to be another specific person, especially a famous person; can be playful or serious.)
Antonyms
be yourself (A phrase rather than a single word; stresses not trying to sound or act like someone else.)
Themes
communication
|entertainment
|social
|arts_entertainment
Definition
To speak or move like another person so that people feel you are that person, often to be funny.
To copy the way someone speaks, moves, or behaves so that you sound or look like them, often for humor or to entertain.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to imitate [something]
The fabric is designed to imitate real leather at a lower cost.
Az anyagot úgy tervezték, hogy olcsóbb alternatívaként imitálja a valódi bőrt.
Scientists are developing materials that imitate spider silk.
A tudósok olyan anyagokat fejlesztenek, amelyek a pókselyem tulajdonságait utánozzák.
Artificial sweeteners are made to imitate the taste of sugar.
The new tiles imitate natural stone so well that you can hardly tell the difference.
This paint can imitate the effect of aged wood on any surface.
Learner examples
This cheap jacket imitates real leather.
Ez az olcsó dzseki valódi bőrt imitál.
The toy animals imitate real animals very well.
A játékállatok nagyon jól utánozzák az igazi állatokat.
The company makes butter that imitates the taste of cheese.
The robot dog imitates the movements of a real dog.
These flowers are plastic, but they imitate real flowers.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"fake"* when they mean *imitate* in neutral or positive contexts. *Fake* often has a negative feeling (dishonest, not real), while *imitate* can be neutral or technical, especially for materials and products.
Meaning
make something that looks like another
Collocations
imitate leather
|imitate wood
|imitate natural flavors
|imitate the look of [something]
|imitate real stone
|technology that imitates nature
Synonyms
simulate (Often more technical; used about machines or systems that reproduce conditions or behavior, not only physical appearance.)
|
replicate (Focuses on making an exact or very close copy, often in scientific or technical contexts.)
Antonyms
differentiate (To make something clearly different rather than making it look or feel like something else.)
Themes
products
|science
|art
|business
|daily_life
Definition
To make a thing that is made to be almost the same as another thing.
To produce something that looks, sounds, or feels very similar to something else, often as a cheaper or artificial alternative.
VERB
B2
4
Usage pattern:
to imitate [someone]'s style / to imitate the style of [something]
Early in his career, he imitated the style of Impressionist painters.
Pályája elején az impresszionista festők stílusát követte.
The new restaurant imitates the design of a 1920s Parisian café.
Az új étterem az 1920-as évek párizsi kávézóinak stílusát követi.
Young writers often imitate their favorite authors before finding their own voice.
The composer was accused of imitating film soundtracks from the 1980s.
Her work imitates traditional Japanese prints but adds modern themes.
Learner examples
He tries to imitate the style of Picasso.
Megpróbálja követni Picasso stílusát.
Many new bands imitate the sound of old rock groups.
Sok új zenekar a régi rockegyüttesek hangzását utánozza.
At first, she imitated her teacher's painting style.
The film imitates the look of old black‑and‑white movies.
The designer imitates classic styles in his new clothes.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *copy* in a way that sounds like illegal or dishonest copying when they mean respectful stylistic influence. *Imitate someone's style* can be neutral or even positive in art, while *copy someone's work* often suggests cheating or stealing.
Meaning
copy another’s artistic style
Collocations
imitate an artist's style
|imitate classical painters
|imitate the style of [someone]
|imitate traditional techniques
|imitate a famous composer
|imitate old masters
Synonyms
pastich (Usually used as a noun (*pastiche*); refers to a work that imitates another style, often playfully.)
|
borrow (Less strong than *imitate*; suggests taking some elements of another style rather than closely following it.)
Antonyms
innovate (Stresses creating a new style instead of following an existing one.)
Themes
art
|literature
|music
|arts_entertainment
|education
Definition
To make art, music, or writing in a way that is very close to the style of another artist.
To create art, writing, music, or other work that closely follows the style or methods of another person or period.
Grammar
Dictionary form
imitate
IPA
GB/ˈɪmətˌeɪt/
US/ˈɪmətˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
im - it - ate (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (im)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: imitate
- 3rd Person Singular: imitates
- Present Participle: imitating
- Past: imitated
Word family
Forms
imitates
verb
imitating
verb
imitated
verb
Core family
imitation
noun B1
imitator
noun
Related words
imitative
adjective
Advanced or less common
inimitable
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.