imitation
gb/ˌɪmətˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌɪmətˈeɪʃən/
A2
Anglais
~ 4900
Sens
0 sens
Nom
B1
action
1
The act of copying someone
When a person does something the same way another person does it.
Schéma d’usage :
an imitation of [someone/something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'imitation' with 'image' because both can involve appearance, but 'imitation' is about copying, not just a picture.
Synonymes
mimicry (Often refers to close or skillful copying, especially in performance or nature.)
Antonymes
originality (Refers to being new and unique rather than copied from someone else.)
Collocations
do an imitation
|perfect imitation
|celebrity imitation
|comic imitation
Thèmes
daily life
|arts
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- She did an imitation of her friend.
- He made an imitation of the singer.
- I saw a funny imitation of a cat on TV.
Nom
A2
entity
2
A fake version of something
Something that looks like another thing but is not real or original.
Schéma d’usage :
an imitation [material/product]
Erreur fréquente :
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.
Synonymes
fake (Informal; often emphasizes deliberate deception.)
Antonymes
genuine (Refers to something that is real and authentic.)
Collocations
imitation leather
|imitation jewelry
|cheap imitation
|imitation wood
Thèmes
shopping
|daily life
|business
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- This bag is made of imitation leather.
- I bought an imitation gold ring.
- The table is covered with imitation wood.
Nom
formal
B2
action
3
Learning by copying others
When someone learns by watching and doing what another person does.
Synonymes
emulation (Often implies trying to match or surpass someone, not just copying.)
Antonymes
innovation (Creating new ideas or methods rather than copying existing ones.)
Collocations
language imitation
|behavioral imitation
|childhood imitation
Thèmes
education
|psychology
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Children often acquire language through imitation.
- Imitation plays a key role in social learning.
- The young apprentice learned the craft by imitation.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Babies learn words by imitation.
- We learn many things by imitation.
- He learned cooking by imitation of his mother.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
imitation
API
GB/ˌɪmətˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌɪmətˈeɪʃən/
Syllabes et accentuation
im - it - a - tion (4 syllabes)
Stress on 3rd syllable (a)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: imitation
- Plural: imitation, imitations
Famille de mots
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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.