Imitation Meaning and Definition
Imitation
Pronunciation
/ɪˈmɪtɪtʃən/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A copy or representation of something, often imperfect or incomplete, that lacks the original’s quality, authenticity, or significance.
Examples
- The forgery was an imitation of the original painting.
- The company produces imitation jewelry, but it’s not as good as the real thing.
Synonyms
- Replica
- Fake
- Paste
Antonyms
- Original
- Authentic
- True
Etymology
The word ‘imitation’ comes from the Latin ‘imitatio’, meaning ‘copying’, which is derived from ‘imitor’, meaning ‘to imitate’.
Usage Notes
When using the word ‘imitation’ in writing or speech, it’s often important to specify what is being imitated, for example, ‘a painting imitation’ or ‘a movie imitation’.
Cultural References
In literature, the concept of imitation is explored in Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, where the protagonist reflects on the nature of reality and appearance.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
The phrase ‘the imitation game’ is an idiomatic expression that refers to a psychological game or test where a person tries to imitate or mimic the behavior of another.
Related Words or Phrases
Words or phrases closely related to ‘imitation’ include ‘copy’, ‘replica’, ‘fake’, ‘pastiche’, and ‘mimicry’.
Collocations
Frequency of Use
The word ‘imitation’ is relatively common in modern language, particularly in contexts related to art, design, and marketing.
Common Misspellings
The most common misspellings of ‘imitation’ include ‘imitation,’ ‘immitation,’ and ‘immitation.’