mimicry
C1Formal, Academic, Scientific (in biological context), Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The act, art, or practice of imitating someone or something, often to entertain, deceive, or as a form of learning.
1. In biology, the close external resemblance of one organism to another or to an object in its environment, providing protection from predators. 2. A superficial or deceptive imitation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often has a dual connotation: can be positive (skillful, artistic, adaptive) or negative/pejorative (superficial, mocking, deceptive). Context determines valence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with natural history and biology in academic British English due to historical tradition.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties, with a slight bump in academic contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] engages in mimicry of [object][subject] is a form of mimicry[subject] demonstrates/uses mimicry to [purpose]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A masterclass in mimicry”
- “Mimicry for survival”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Used in contexts of copying strategies or market behaviours, e.g., 'The startup's product was pure mimicry of the market leader.'
Academic
Common in biology, psychology, and social sciences to describe adaptive behaviour, social learning, or deceptive resemblance.
Everyday
Used to describe a person's skill at imitating voices or mannerisms, e.g., 'Her mimicry of the teacher was spot-on.'
Technical
Central term in evolutionary biology (e.g., Müllerian mimicry, aggressive mimicry).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Some birds can mimicry complex sounds.
- He was mimicrying the Prime Minister's speech patterns.
American English
- Some birds can mimic complex sounds.
- He was mimicking the President's speech patterns.
adverb
British English
- The child spoke mimicrously. (Extremely rare/non-standard)
- He performed mimicrily. (Non-standard)
American English
- The child spoke mimicly. (Non-standard)
- He performed in a mimic manner. (Preferred phrasing)
adjective
British English
- The insect displayed mimicry behaviour.
- She has a mimicry talent.
American English
- The insect displayed mimic behavior.
- She has a mimic talent.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The parrot's mimicry of my voice is funny.
- His clever mimicry of the film star made everyone laugh.
- The butterfly uses mimicry to look like a leaf.
- The comedian's vocal mimicry was so accurate it was uncanny.
- Batesian mimicry involves a harmless species evolving to resemble a harmful one.
- The author's prose was not mere mimicry of Victorian style but a sophisticated postmodern homage.
- Critics accused the policy of being a form of cultural mimicry, lacking any innovative thought.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MIMIC-RY: A MIMIC tries skillfully (RY rhymes with 'try').
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS DISGUISE (in biology); COMMUNICATION IS IMITATION (in social contexts).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'мимика' (facial expressions). The Russian word 'мимикрия' is a direct loanword and is correct.
- The Russian verb 'передразнивать' is closer to 'mock' or 'tease by imitating' and can carry a stronger negative tone than the neutral English 'mimicry'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'mimickry' (only one 'k').
- Using 'mimicry' as a countable noun (e.g., 'He did a mimicry' is incorrect; use 'He did an imitation' or 'He engaged in mimicry').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the PRIMARY meaning of 'mimicry' in a general (non-scientific) context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Mimicry' often implies a closer, more detailed, and sometimes more skillful or purposeful copy, and is the standard term in biology. 'Imitation' is a broader, more general term for copying.
Yes. It can imply a lack of originality, superficial copying, or mockery, as in 'His work was dismissed as mere mimicry of greater artists.'
Yes, 'mimicry' is the related noun denoting the action, practice, or phenomenon of mimicking. The agent noun is 'mimic'.
A biological phenomenon where a harmless, palatable species evolves to imitate the warning signals of a harmful, unpalatable species to deter predators.
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