Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who copies the words, actions, or behavior of another person: An imitator is someone who mimics or replicates the way another person speaks, acts, or behaves.
   • A person who fraudulently assumes the appearance or identity of another: An imitator can also refer to someone who deceptively takes on the look or persona of someone else, often for personal gain.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He was not an innovator but merely a talented imitator of other artists' styles.
  • The forger was an expert imitator of famous signatures.
  • As a child, she was a keen imitator of her older sister's every move.

Advanced Usage

• "A pale imitator": This phrase describes someone or something that is a weak, inferior, or unconvincing copy of the original.
  • The sequel was just a pale imitator of the brilliant original film.
• Used in contexts of art, fashion, business, and behavior to describe copying that lacks originality.

Variants and Related Words

• Imitate (verb): To copy the behavior, speech, or appearance of someone or something.
  • Parrots can imitate human speech.
• Imitation (noun): 1. The act of imitating. 2. A copy or reproduction of something.
  • The bag was a cheap imitation of a designer brand.
• Imitative (adjective): Tending to imitate; copying or following a model.
  • The imitative behavior of children is a key part of learning.

Synonyms

• Copycat: (Informal) A person who copies another's behavior, dress, or ideas.
• Mimic: A person skilled in imitating the voice or mannerisms of others.
• Impressionist: An entertainer who impersonates famous people.
• Forger: A person who produces fraudulent copies or imitations, especially of documents, art, or signatures.

Related Phrases

• "Flattery by imitation": A concept suggesting that copying someone is a form of praise or admiration (often related to the saying "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery").
  • He took her copying of his project not as theft, but as flattery by imitation.

Related Idioms

• "A poor man's [something]": An inferior or cheaper version that imitates something more famous or expensive. (This idiom conceptually relates to the idea of an imitator).
  • That brand is often considered a poor man's luxury car.

Noun

1. someone who copies the words or behavior of another
2. someone who (fraudulently) assumes the appearance of another