To mimic means to copy someone's actions, sounds, or mannerisms, often to entertain, learn, or mock. When you mimic your teacher's accent during recess, you're imitating the way she talks. When a parrot mimics human speech, it's repeating words it has heard. Young children learn to speak by mimicking the sounds adults make.

The word can describe playful imitation, like when comedians mimic famous people to make audiences laugh. But it can also mean copying something more seriously: scientists create vaccines that mimic how natural immunity works, and young athletes mimic the techniques of professionals to improve their skills.

As a noun, a mimic is someone who imitates others, especially someone skilled at it. A talented mimic can copy different voices and gestures so well that you might actually think the person they're imitating just walked into the room.

The word carries slightly different feelings depending on context. Mimicking to learn is natural and useful. Mimicking to entertain is fun. But mimicking to make fun of someone can hurt their feelings, especially if they can't help the trait you're copying.