1. copying or mimicking something else
2. made to look like or sound like something else
3. describing words that sound like what they represent
Usage: linguistics

Examples

• The child’s imitative behavior showed how much she admired her older sister.
• His imitative painting style closely resembled the master’s work.
• The imitative leather looked real but cost much less.
• Words like ‘buzz’ and ‘hiss’ are imitative of actual sounds.
• The artist was criticized for being too imitative rather than developing his own style.
• Imitative jewelry can be beautiful without being expensive.
• Young children learn through imitative play and observation.