1
Core action
Copied or reproduced another person's behaviour, style, sound, appearance, or method.
Example
Later painters imitated her use of fragmented forms.
imitated
/ˈɪmɪteɪtɪd/ · IM-ih-tay-tidverb
Copied or reproduced another person's behaviour, style, sound, appearance, or method.
Use imitated to express this relationship precisely: copied or reproduced another person's behaviour, style, sound, appearance, or method.
What imitated Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
The device imitated the movement of a human hand.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
The child imitated the rhythm but changed the melody.
Use imitated Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Later painters imitated her use of fragmented forms.
The device imitated the movement of a human hand.
The child imitated the rhythm but changed the melody.
Precision Matters
Imitated overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
imitated
vs.Means copied or reproduced another person's behaviour, style, sound, appearance, or method.
emulate
Means imitate a person, method, or achievement, often with the aim of matching or surpassing it.
imitated
vs.Means copied or reproduced another person's behaviour, style, sound, appearance, or method.
replicate
Means to copy, reproduce, or repeat something closely.
imitated
vs.Means copied or reproduced another person's behaviour, style, sound, appearance, or method.
fabricate
Means to construct something or invent information, often deceptively.
imitated
vs.Means copied or reproduced another person's behaviour, style, sound, appearance, or method.
supplant
Means to replace or supersede something previously established.
Test imitated in Context
The artificial flower copied recognizable features of the real plant.
1
The artificial flower successfully ___ the colour and scent of the living plant.