A mime is a performer who tells stories and expresses emotions through gestures, facial expressions, and body movements, without speaking any words. Think of it like acting out charades, but as a full performance: a mime might pretend to be trapped in an invisible box, walk against an imaginary wind, or pull on a rope that isn't really there. The illusion works because the mime's movements are so precise and expressive that audiences can “see” the invisible objects and understand the story being told.

Mimes traditionally wear distinctive costumes: white face paint, black and white striped shirts, and black pants. This stark appearance helps audiences focus entirely on the performer's movements and expressions. The most famous mime was probably Marcel Marceau, a French performer whose character “Bip” entertained millions without ever saying a word.

Today, street performers in cities worldwide work as mimes, and the art form appears in theater, film, and circus performances. When you mime an action, you're acting it out silently, like miming that you're eating by pretending to lift a spoon to your mouth.