Definition

Noun: 1. A person or thing that imitates or copies the words, behavior, or achievements of another, often in an effort to equal or surpass them. This definition emphasizes the act of conscious imitation, typically with a competitive or aspirational goal. 2. (Computing) A hardware device or software program that enables one computer system (the host) to behave like another computer system (the guest). This allows the host system to run software or use peripheral devices designed for the guest system.

Usage Examples

• Noun (General):
  • As a young artist, she was an emulator of the great Renaissance masters, studying their techniques meticulously.
  • The company is not an innovator but an emulator, quickly copying successful features from its competitors.
• Noun (Computing):
  • I use a Game Boy emulator on my laptop to play classic video games.
  • The software developer tested the application on an Android emulator before installing it on a physical phone.

Advanced Usage

• "In emulation of": This phrase is used to describe doing something specifically to imitate or rival someone or something.
  • He built his business model in emulation of the industry's most successful leader.

Variants and Related Words

• Emulate (verb): To strive to equal or match, especially by imitation. (e.g., )
• Emulation (noun): The effort or desire to equal or excel others, or the technique of imitating the behavior of one system with a different system. (e.g., )

Synonyms

• Imitator: One who copies the behavior or actions of another.
• Copycat: (Informal, often derogatory) A person who copies another's behavior, dress, or ideas.
• Rival: A person or thing competing with another for the same objective or for superiority in the same field.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To follow in someone's footsteps: To do the same thing as someone else did previously, especially someone in your family. This is a conceptual synonym for the general sense of "emulator."
  • He is following in his father's footsteps by becoming a doctor.

Noun

1. someone who copies the words or behavior of another