mimic

Everyday

1. To copy the way someone talks or moves, often to be funny or to make fun of them. tree →
2. In nature, to look or sound like something else to stay safe or to trick, as some animals do. tree →
3. (noun) A person or animal that is good at copying sounds or actions. tree →

In the lessons

In science it is about animal disguise: a hoverfly mimics a wasp, the lyrebird mimics chainsaws and cameras. In everyday life and kindness lessons, mimicking someone to make fun of them can hurt. In drama, mimicking voices is a skill. Phrases: a good mimic, mimic someone's accent.

Examples

• Parrots can mimic human words. tree →
• The lyrebird mimics the sound of a camera shutter. tree →
• The hoverfly mimics a wasp so birds leave it alone. tree →
• Please don't mimic Sam's voice; it upsets him. tree →
• My sister is a brilliant mimic of our teacher. tree →
• The stick insect mimics a twig. tree →
• Robots can mimic the way people walk. tree →
• By-and-by he began to mimic the speech and gait of persons in the street. tree →

Note

Spelling trap: add k before -ed and -ing: mimicked, mimicking (not mimiced). Noun: mimicry, the copying in nature. Similar: imitate, copy.