mock

The word “mock” means to make fun of someone, often by imitating them; to ridicule. In plain terms, either "to ridicule someone" or, as an adjective, "fake/practice" — as in a mock exam or mock trial.

“Mock” is pronounced mok (/mɔk/ in IPA).

Here is “mock” used in a sentence: “The other kids mocked his accent.”

Words with a similar meaning to “mock” include befool, chaff, disparage, forgab, frump and gleek.

Depending on how it is used, “mock” can be a verb and an adjective.

The word “mock” comes from Old French. From Middle English mokken, via Old French mocquer ("to deride, jeer"), probably ultimately echoing a Germanic word for mumbling or muttering under one's breath.

“Mock” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Mock” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make fun of someone, often by imitating them; to ridicule.

As a verb, mock means to make fun of someone, often by imitating them, or to create a rough working model or trial version of something. As an adjective, mock describes something fake or an imitation, not the real thing, as in "mock leather" or "mock exam."

A mock exam is a trial version created to prepare students, mirroring the format and content of a real exam without being the genuine, official assessment. It functions as practice, reflecting the adjective sense of mock meaning fake or imitation.

Mimic focuses on closely imitating someone's speech, mannerisms, or appearance, while mock adds an element of ridicule to that imitation, making fun of the person being copied. You can mimic someone neutrally, but mocking always implies making fun of them.

In technical and business contexts, mock refers to creating a rough working model or trial version of something, such as a "mock-up" of a design or a "mock interview" for practice. This sense is neutral and does not involve ridicule.