imitate

v.

1. To follow the example of

   emulate, follow suit, do likewise, take as a model; see follow 2.

2. To act like

   mimic, impersonate, mirror, copy, mime, ape, parrot, parody, mock, simulate, duplicate, assume, repeat, echo, reecho, reflect, pretend, play a part, personate, do like*, make like*, take off*, put on*; see also parody.

3. To copy

   duplicate, counterfeit, fake; see copy 2, reproduce 1.

4. To resemble

   look like, be like, simulate, parallel; see resemble.

imitate implies the following of something as an example or model but does not necessarily connote exact correspondence with the original the child imitates her father's mannerisms; copy implies as nearly exact imitation or reproduction as is possible to copy a painting; mimic suggests close imitation, often in fun or ridicule to mimic the speech peculiarities of another; mock implies imitation with the intent to deride or affront he mocked the teacher's gesture of rebuke; ape implies close imitation either in mimicry or in servile emulation she aped the fashions of the court ladies