mimicry
2 synonyms for mimicry, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The act or ability of copying the appearance, sound or behaviour of someone or something else.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
apery
How to use mimicry
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
animal mimicry
vocal mimicry
act of mimicry
skilled at mimicry
It is a neutral, everyday word used in both ordinary speech and in biology.
Etymology
The word is built from mimic, meaning to copy or imitate, with the suffix -ry added to turn it into a noun naming that activity.
Full origin of mimicry →Frequently asked questions
What does mimicry mean?
It means copying the appearance, sound or behaviour of another person, animal or thing.
Is mimicry the same as imitation?
They are close in meaning, but mimicry is often used for closely copying appearance or behaviour, especially in animals, while imitation covers copying more generally.
Why do animals use mimicry?
Many animals mimic another species' looks or behaviour so that predators mistake them for something dangerous or unpleasant, which helps them survive.
