noun
copycat
kah-pee-KAT
Copycat (noun) means a person who imitates someone else, often in an unoriginal or shameless way. Example: “Her little brother is such a copycat, he wants everything she has.”
noun
1
A person who imitates someone else, often in an unoriginal or shameless way.
"Her little brother is such a copycat, he wants everything she has."
2
A criminal who copies a method used in a recent, often high-profile, crime.
"Police warned of copycat attacks after the incident made headlines."
adj
1
Imitative; done in direct imitation of something else.
"The market was flooded with copycat products."
How to use copycat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or something) that imitates another, often in a lazy or derivative way.
Common pairings
copycat crime
copycat killer
copycat product
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Word forms
- Plural
- copycats
- Third person singular
- copycats
- Past tense
- copycatted
- Comparative
- more copycat
- Superlative
- most copycat
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her little brother is such a _____, he wants everything she has.
Etymology
American in origin, from copy plus cat, an old derogatory term for a person.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “copycat” mean?
The word “copycat” means a person who imitates someone else, often in an unoriginal or shameless way. In plain terms, someone (or something) that imitates another, often in a lazy or derivative way.
How do you pronounce “copycat”?
“Copycat” is pronounced kah-pee-KAT (/kɑpiˈkæt/ in IPA).
How do you use “copycat” in a sentence?
Here is “copycat” used in a sentence: “Her little brother is such a copycat, he wants everything she has.”
What part of speech is “copycat”?
Depending on how it is used, “copycat” can be a noun and an adjective.
How many meanings does “copycat” have?
“Copycat” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who imitates someone else, often in an unoriginal or shameless way.
