...the most accurate imitation of Chinese architecture in Europe. [+ of]
Synonyms: replica, fake, reproduction, sham More Synonyms of imitation
2. uncountable noun
Imitation means copying someone else's actions.
They discussed important issues in imitation of their elders. [+ of]
Molly learned her golf by imitation.
Synonyms: copying, echoing, resemblance, aping More Synonyms of imitation
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Imitation things are not genuine but are made to look as if they are.
...a complete set of Dickens bound in imitation leather.
Synonyms: artificial, mock, reproduction, dummy More Synonyms of imitation
4. countable noun
If someone does an imitationof another person, they copy the way they speak or behave, sometimes in order to be funny.
He gave his imitation of Queen Elizabeth's royal wave. [+ of]
I could do a pretty good imitation of him.
Synonyms: impression, parody, mockery, takeoff [informal] More Synonyms of imitation
imitation in British English
(ˌɪmɪˈteɪʃən)
noun
1.
the act, practice, or art of imitating; mimicry
2.
an instance or product of imitating, such as a copy of the manner of a person; impression
3.
a.
a copy or reproduction of a genuine article; counterfeit
b.
(as modifier)
imitation jewellery
4.
(in contrapuntal or polyphonic music) the repetition of a phrase or figure in one part after its appearance in another, as in a fugue
5.
a literary composition that adapts the style of an older work to the writer's own purposes
Derived forms
imitational (ˌimiˈtational)
adjective
imitation in American English
(ˌɪmɪˈteɪʃən)
noun
1.
the act of imitating
2.
a.
the result or product of imitating; artificial likeness; copy
b.
a counterfeit
3. Biology
mimicry (sense 2)
4. Music
the repetition in close succession of a theme or theme fragment in a different voice: used often as a technique of counterpoint
5. Philosophy
a.
in Platonism, the process wherein sensible objects imperfectly embody unchanging, immaterial models or archetypes
b.
in Aristotelianism, artistic portrayal not as literal copying but as representation of the essential nature of something
adjective
6.
made to resemble something specified, usually something superior or genuine; not real; sham; bogus
imitation leather
Word origin
L imitatio
Examples of 'imitation' in a sentence
imitation
My wife does really good bird imitations.
The Sun (2016)
This side was a poor imitation of those warriors.
The Sun (2006)
Local trading standards officials can close down rogue traders selling imitation goods.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You could call it a cheap imitation.
The Sun (2011)
The team was a very pale imitation of the defensive powerhouse it used to be.
The Sun (2009)
Formal clothes tend to follow basic designs that make it possible to get away with cheaper imitations.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But they should be all speech and not pale imitations of commercial outfits.
The Sun (2008)
Beware of cheap imitations and expect costume drama next season.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But all it succeeds in doing is hammering home what a pale imitation this sequel is.
The Sun (2011)
There are people doing it really well, yet others do a poor imitation.
Christianity Today (2000)
If it wasn't a crisis it was a fair imitation of one.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
And if there is one thing imitation is not, it is "original.
Peter F. Drucker THE ESSENTIAL DRUCKER (2001)
As a result, each of us became a distinctive composer and not a poor imitation of him.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It's a really poor imitation.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
As I stretched forward, one white furry leg stretched out in imitation.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Quotations
Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resembleSamuel JohnsonThe Rambler
Imitation is the sincerest flatteryCharles ColtonLacon
To do the opposite of something is also a form of imitation, namely an imitation of its oppositeG.C. LichtenbergAphorisms
In other languages
imitation
British English: imitation /ˌɪmɪˈteɪʃən/ NOUN
An imitation of something is a copy of it.
...an accurate imitation of Chinese architecture.
American English: imitation
Arabic: مُحَاكَاةٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: imitação
Chinese: 模仿
Croatian: imitacija
Czech: napodobenina
Danish: efterligning
Dutch: imitatie
European Spanish: imitación
Finnish: jäljennös
French: imitation
German: Imitation
Greek: απομίμηση
Italian: imitazione
Japanese: 模造品
Korean: 모조품
Norwegian: imitasjon
Polish: imitacja
European Portuguese: imitação
Romanian: imitație
Russian: имитация
Latin American Spanish: imitación
Swedish: imitation
Thai: การลอกเลียนแบบ
Turkish: taklit
Ukrainian: імітація
Vietnamese: sự bắt chước
British English: imitation ADJECTIVE
Imitation things are not genuine but are made to look as if they are.
...a complete set of books bound in imitation leather.
American English: imitation
Brazilian Portuguese: imitação
Chinese: 人造的
European Spanish: de imitación
French: faux
German: künstlich
Italian: finto
Japanese: 偽の
Korean: 모조품
European Portuguese: imitação
Latin American Spanish: de imitación
Chinese translation of 'imitation'
imitation
(ɪmɪˈteɪʃən)
n
(u) (= act) 模仿 (mófǎng)
(c) (= copy) 仿制(製)品 (fǎngzhìpǐn) (件, jiàn)
adj
仿制(製)的 (fǎngzhì de)
to do an imitation of sb模仿某人 (mófǎng mǒurén)
1 (noun)
Definition
a copy of an original or genuine article
the most accurate imitation of Chinese architecture in Europe
Synonyms
replica
It was a replica, for display only.
fake
It is filled with famous works of art, and every one of them is a fake.
reproduction
a reproduction of a religious painting
sham
Their promises were exposed as a hollow sham.
forgery
The letter was a forgery.
carbon copy (informal)
counterfeit
Counterfeits of the company's goods are flooding Europe.
counterfeiting
likeness
The museum displays wax likenesses of every U.S. president.
duplication
2 (noun)
Definition
behaviour modelled on the behaviour of someone else
She learned her golf by imitation.
Synonyms
copying
echoing
resemblance
aping
simulation
a simulation of the greenhouse effect
mimicry
One of his strengths was his skill at mimicry.
3 (noun)
Definition
an instance of imitating someone
I could do a pretty good imitation of him.
Synonyms
impression
He amused us doing impressions of film actors.
parody
a parody of a well-known soap opera
mockery
takeoff (informal)
an inspired takeoff of the two sisters
impersonation
She excelled at impersonations of his teachers.
(adjective)
Definition
made to resemble something which is usually superior or more expensive
a set of novels bound in imitation leather
Synonyms
artificial
The sauce was glutinous and tasted artificial.
mock
`It's tragic,' he swooned in mock horror.
reproduction
dummy
Soldiers were still using dummy guns.
synthetic
synthetic rubber
man-made
a variety of materials, both natural and man-made
simulated
a necklace of simulated pearls
sham
The election has been denounced as a sham by world leaders.
pseudo (informal)
ersatz
an electric fire with ersatz logs
repro
phoney or phony (informal)
Opposites
real
,
genuine
,
authentic
,
true
,
original
,
dinkum (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
,
valid
Quotations
Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble [Samuel Johnson – The Rambler]Imitation is the sincerest flattery [Charles Colton – Lacon]To do the opposite of something is also a form of imitation, namely an imitation of its opposite [G.C. Lichtenberg – Aphorisms]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of counterfeit
Definition
an imitation designed to deceive or defraud
Counterfeits of the company's goods are flooding Europe.