apery: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Extremely RareLiterary, Archaic, Humorous (derogatory)
Quick answer
What does “apery” mean?
The act or practice of imitating or mimicking others.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act or practice of imitating or mimicking others.
A place where apes are kept; more figuratively, behaviour that is foolish, ridiculous, or slavishly imitative.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is equally rare in both variants.
Connotations
Connotes absurd, unthinking imitation. Often used in literary or rhetorical criticism.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Might be encountered in 19th-century texts or highly stylised modern writing.
Grammar
How to Use “apery” in a Sentence
[Noun] of [something/someone] (the apery of his mannerisms)[Adjective] apery (this blatant apery)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “apery” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The comedian's act was not satire but simple apery.
- He was criticised for his apery of the Prime Minister's speech patterns.
American English
- The film was dismissed as cheap apery of better works.
- Their policy was mere apery of their rival's platform.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rarely used, potentially in literary or cultural studies discussing imitation.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “apery”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “apery”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “apery”
- Misspelling as 'apeary' or 'appery'.
- Using it in a neutral or positive context.
- Assuming it is a common word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare, literary word. Most native speakers will not know it or use it.
Yes, but this sense is archaic and even rarer than the 'imitation' sense. The 'imitation' sense is primary in modern understanding.
'Apery' specifically implies foolish, slavish, or absurd imitation, often with a derogatory tone. 'Mimicry' can be neutral or even skilled (e.g., mimicry of bird calls).
No. It is a word for passive recognition only. Using it actively will sound archaic or pretentious. Use 'imitation', 'copying', or 'aping' instead.
The act or practice of imitating or mimicking others.
Apery is usually literary, archaic, humorous (derogatory) in register.
Apery: in British English it is pronounced /ˈeɪpəri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈeɪpəri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: An APE tries to copy human actions. APEry is the silly act of copying.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMAN BEHAVIOUR IS ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR (specifically, foolish/unthinking behaviour is ape-like behaviour).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'apery' be LEAST appropriate?