copycat
One who mimics
A copycat imitates someone else's actions, style, or work—often with the suggestion of lacking originality.
The term appears frequently as an attributive noun: a copycat crime mimics an earlier one, copycat products knock off successful brands.
Children use it as a taunt: Copycat, copycat!
The verb means to imitate: She's just copycatting what the cool kids do.
Adaptive resemblance to another
- imitationCopy of the original
- emulationCopying to rival
- parrotingMechanical verbal imitation
- apingImitating closely
echoing · mirroring · mocking · following · shadowing · replication · mimesis · impersonation
One who copies others
- parrotSpeech-mimicking tropical bird
- apeTailless higher primate
- emulatorCross-platform compatibility layer
- followerOne who supports another
impersonator · clone · lookalike · doppelganger · echo · mirror · shadow · wannabe
Expression of deep respect
- tributeOffering of respect
- admirationDeep respect felt
- sincerityHonest, unfeigned genuineness
- imitationCopy of the original
emulation · respect · honor · appreciation · reverence · influence · inspiration · nod
Unauthorized replica product
- ripoffFraudulent overcharge
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
- bootlegIllegally produced goods
- fakeNot the real thing
replica · imitation · clone · reproduction · forgery · facsimile · duplicate · sham
Unattributed use of others' work
- piracySeaborne theft or bootlegging
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- violationBreaking of rules
- ripoffFraudulent overcharge
counterfeiting · forgery · bootlegging · trademark · patent · copyright · appropriation · stealing
Not new or novel
- derivativeFunction's rate of change
- lazyAvoiding effort or exertion
- uninspiredLacking creative spark
- uncreativeLacking originality or invention
repetitive · tiresome · irritating · exasperating · frustrating · grating · irksome · tedious
mimicry
Adaptive resemblance to another
aping · echoing · mirroring · mocking · following · shadowing · replication · mimesis · impersonation · simulation
mimic
One who copies others
- parrotSpeech-mimicking tropical bird
- apeTailless higher primate
- emulatorCross-platform compatibility layer
follower · impersonator · clone · lookalike · doppelganger · echo · mirror · shadow · wannabe · me-too
homage
Expression of deep respect
- tributeOffering of respect
- admirationDeep respect felt
- sincerityHonest, unfeigned genuineness
imitation · emulation · respect · honor · appreciation · reverence · influence · inspiration · nod
knockoff
Unauthorized replica product
- ripoffFraudulent overcharge
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
- bootlegIllegally produced goods
fake · replica · imitation · clone · reproduction · forgery · facsimile · duplicate · sham · phony
plagiarism
Unattributed use of others' work
ripoff · counterfeiting · forgery · bootlegging · trademark · patent · copyright · appropriation · stealing · lifting
unoriginal
Not new or novel
- derivativeFunction's rate of change
- lazyAvoiding effort or exertion
- uninspiredLacking creative spark
uncreative · repetitive · tiresome · irritating · exasperating · frustrating · grating · irksome · tedious · stale
- Animal Idiomsblind as a bat, brave as a lion, busy bee, dark horse, eats like a bird
- Imitatorsimitator, mimic, impersonator, clone, double
- impersonationimpersonator, mimic, imitate, imitation, impressionist
- vocal imitationmimicry, impersonation, mockingbird, impression, echo
- animal expressionslet sleeping dogs lie, raining cats and dogs, curiosity killed cat, horse sense, wild goose chase
- mimicrychameleon, cuttlefish, stick insect, leaf insect, mockingbird
copycatinnovator
Creator of new methods
originator · inventor · creator · pioneer · original
copycattrendsetter
One who initiates styles
leader · initiator · pacesetter · trailblazer · pioneer
copycatnonconformist
Rejects prevailing social standards
individualist · one-of-a-kind · genuine article · authentic · independent