imitation
gb/ˌɪmətˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌɪmətˈeɪʃən/
A2
English
~ 4900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
action
1
The act of copying someone
When a person does something the same way another person does it.
Usage pattern:
an imitation of [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'imitation' with 'image' because both can involve appearance, but 'imitation' is about copying, not just a picture.
Synonyms
mimicry (Often refers to close or skillful copying, especially in performance or nature.)
Antonyms
originality (Refers to being new and unique rather than copied from someone else.)
Collocations
do an imitation
|perfect imitation
|celebrity imitation
|comic imitation
Themes
daily life
|arts
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her imitation of the teacher's voice made the whole class laugh.
- The comedian's imitation of the president was spot-on.
- He does a great imitation of Elvis Presley.
Learner examples
- She did an imitation of her friend.
- He made an imitation of the singer.
- I saw a funny imitation of a cat on TV.
Noun
A2
entity
2
A fake version of something
Something that looks like another thing but is not real or original.
Usage pattern:
an imitation [material/product]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'imitation' with 'illusion'; 'imitation' is a real object made to look like another, while 'illusion' is only a trick for the eyes or mind.
Synonyms
fake (Informal; often emphasizes deliberate deception.)
Antonyms
genuine (Refers to something that is real and authentic.)
Collocations
imitation leather
|imitation jewelry
|cheap imitation
|imitation wood
Themes
shopping
|daily life
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- These shoes are made of imitation leather.
- The ring turned out to be an imitation diamond.
- He bought an imitation watch for a fraction of the price.
Learner examples
- This bag is made of imitation leather.
- I bought an imitation gold ring.
- The table is covered with imitation wood.
Noun
formal
B2
action
3
Learning by copying others
When someone learns by watching and doing what another person does.
Synonyms
emulation (Often implies trying to match or surpass someone, not just copying.)
Antonyms
innovation (Creating new ideas or methods rather than copying existing ones.)
Collocations
language imitation
|behavioral imitation
|childhood imitation
Themes
education
|psychology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Children often acquire language through imitation.
- Imitation plays a key role in social learning.
- The young apprentice learned the craft by imitation.
Learner examples
- Babies learn words by imitation.
- We learn many things by imitation.
- He learned cooking by imitation of his mother.
Grammar
Dictionary form
imitation
IPA
GB/ˌɪmətˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌɪmətˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
im - it - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: imitation
- Plural: imitation, imitations
Word family
Forms
imitations
noun
Core family
imitate
verb B1
Related words
imitator
noun
imitative
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
inimitable
adjective
Expressions
in imitation of
1/ˈɪn ˌɪmətˈeɪʃən əv/
fixed phrase
In a way that copies something
Done in the same way as someone or something else.
Examples
- The building was designed in imitation of ancient Greek temples.
- He spoke in imitation of his favorite actor.
the sincerest form of flattery
1/ðə sˈɪnsɚˈɛst fˈɔɹm əv flˈætɚi/
idiom
Copying shows admiration
When you copy someone, it means you admire them.
Examples
- They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
- Her hairstyle was copied by many girls at school—imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.