imitational

A child's imitational drawing of a cat hangs on the refrigerator.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or characterized by imitation: "imitational" describes something that is based on or involves copying or mimicking another thing, often with the intent to replicate its appearance, sound, or behavior.
   • Not original or genuine: It can imply that the item or action is derived from or modeled after something else, lacking true originality or authenticity.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The artist's work was purely imitational, copying the style of Renaissance masters without adding any personal flair. (The work was based on imitation, not original creation.)
  • Her imitational laughter was forced and unconvincing, as she merely echoed others' amusement. (Her laughter was an imitation, not genuine.)
  • The toy was an imitational version of the popular brand, but it was much cheaper. (The toy was a copy, not authentic.)

Advanced Usage

• "imitational behavior": behavior that mimics or replicates the actions of others, often used in psychology or animal studies.

  • The child's imitational behavior helped him learn social norms by copying adults. (He learned by imitating.)

• "imitational art": art that seeks to reproduce reality or existing styles rather than innovate.

  • Many critics dismissed the painting as imitational art, lacking any creative vision. (The art was derivative, not original.)

Variants and Related Words

• Imitate (verb): to copy or mimic the actions, speech, or appearance of someone or something.

  • Children often imitate their parents' gestures. (They copy them.)

• Imitation (noun): the act of copying; a copy or replica.

  • The imitation of the famous sculpture was sold at a lower price. (The copy was sold cheaply.)

• Imitative (adjective): tending to imitate; characterized by imitation (similar to "imitational" but more common).

  • His imitative style was evident in every painting. (He copied others.)

Synonyms

• Mimetic: relating to or characterized by imitation, especially in art or biology.
  • The mimetic patterns of the butterfly help it avoid predators. (Imitation for survival.)
• Derivative: imitative of the work of another artist, writer, etc., and usually unoriginal.
  • The film was derivative, borrowing heavily from earlier classics. (It was unoriginal.)
• Copycat: (informal) imitating or copying someone else's actions or style.
  • That copycat product is clearly imitational. (It is a cheap imitation.)

Related Idioms

• There are no common idioms that directly use "imitational". However, related concepts appear in:
  • "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery": a saying meaning that copying someone's work or style shows admiration.

    • Even though the design was imitational, the creator felt flattered by the copy. (The copy was seen as flattery.)