imitation
Copy, not original
Imitation is the act of copying or mimicking something else.
A child learns through imitation of adults.
An imitation can also be the copy itself—a reproduction meant to resemble an original: imitation leather, imitation crab.
The adjective use implies something lesser than the genuine article: imitation vanilla lacks real vanilla's complexity.
To do an imitation of someone is to mimic their voice or mannerisms, usually for entertainment.
Faithful scaled reproduction
- duplicateExact replica of original
- reproductionCopying or procreation
- facsimileExact reproduction of original
- cloneGenetically identical organism
copy · forgery · counterfeit · knockoff · recreate · replicate · photocopy · transcript
Produced artificially, not natural
- fauxArtificial or imitation
- ersatzArtificial and inferior substitute
- man-madeCreated by humans
- fakeNot the real thing
counterfeit · phony · sham · bogus · pseudo · knockoff · simulated · mock
Pretending to be another
- parodySatirical imitation
- impressionEffect on the mind
- caricatureExaggerated comic depiction
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
mime · pantomime · aping · emulation · copycat · send-up · spoof · lampoon
Adaptive resemblance to another
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- protective colorationConcealing pigmentation for survival
- warning colorationConspicuous hues signaling unpalatability
- preyAnimal being hunted
predator · adaptation · resemblance · co-evolution · polymorphism · viceroy · monarch · coral snake
Offering of respect
- homageExpression of deep respect
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- admirationDeep respect felt
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
appreciation · respect · reverence · emulation · following · dedication · celebration · salute
Existing in effect, not fact
- modelingSimulating or demonstrating form
- emulationCopying to rival
- digitalOf discrete data
- computer-generatedMade by machines, not humans
avatar · AI · rendering · virtual reality · augmented reality · simulator · mock-up · flight simulator
Another available choice
- replacementWhat takes another's place
- surrogateOne acting for another
- stand-inTemporary human placeholder
- proxyAuthorized substitute
substitute · backup · spare · fill-in · understudy · dummy · placeholder · stopgap
replica
Faithful scaled reproduction
- duplicateExact replica of original
- reproductionCopying or procreation
- facsimileExact reproduction of original
clone · copy · forgery · counterfeit · knockoff · recreate · replicate · photocopy · transcript · reprint
synthetic
Produced artificially, not natural
fake · counterfeit · phony · sham · bogus · pseudo · knockoff · simulated · mock · substitute
impersonation
Pretending to be another
- parodySatirical imitation
- impressionEffect on the mind
- caricatureExaggerated comic depiction
mockery · mime · pantomime · aping · emulation · copycat · send-up · spoof · lampoon · satire
mimicry
Adaptive resemblance to another
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- protective colorationConcealing pigmentation for survival
- warning colorationConspicuous hues signaling unpalatability
prey · predator · adaptation · resemblance · co-evolution · polymorphism · viceroy · monarch · coral snake
tribute
Offering of respect
- homageExpression of deep respect
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- admirationDeep respect felt
acknowledgment · appreciation · respect · reverence · emulation · following · dedication · celebration · salute · nod
virtual
Existing in effect, not fact
computer-generated · avatar · AI · rendering · virtual reality · augmented reality · simulator · mock-up · flight simulator · predictive model
alternative
Another available choice
- replacementWhat takes another's place
- surrogateOne acting for another
- stand-inTemporary human placeholder
proxy · substitute · backup · spare · fill-in · understudy · dummy · placeholder · stopgap · margarine
- impersonationimpersonator, mimic, impressionist, celebrity impression, Elvis impersonator
- influenceinfluence, persuasion, sway, clout, leverage
- portrayalsportrayal, depiction, characterization, representation, rendering
- mimicrychameleon, cuttlefish, stick insect, leaf insect, mockingbird
- writing influencesinspiration, mentor, homage, pastiche, tribute
- creative tributesparody, spoof, homage, tribute, mashup
imitationoriginal
First or inventive
creation · prototype · innovation · invention · archetype
imitationpremium
Added cost for better
quality · valuable · genuine article · the real thing · designer
- imitation crabProcessed fish mimicking shellfish
- life imitating artReality shaped by fiction
- pale imitationInferior version of something
- imitation vanillaSynthetic bean-pod flavoring
- imitation leather
- The Imitation GameEnigma decryption drama