copycat

American  

[kop-ee-kat] / ˈkɒp iˌkæt /

noun

1. a person or thing that copies, imitates, mimics, or follows the lead of another, as a child who says or does exactly the same as another child.

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adjective

1. imitating or repeating a recent, well-known occurrence.

   a copycat murder.

verb (used with object)

copycatted, copycatting

1. to imitate or mimic.

   new domestic wines that copycat the expensive imports.

2. to copy slavishly; reproduce.

   The clothes were copycatted straight from designer originals.

copycat British  

/ ˈkɒpɪˌkæt /

noun

1. informal

   1. a person, esp a child, who imitates or copies another

   2. ( as modifier )

      copycat murders

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Other Word Forms

• copycatism noun

Etymology

Origin of copycat

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; copy + cat ( def. )

Explanation

Someone who mimics what you do or say is a copycat. If your little brother orders fettuccine Alfredo after you've already ordered it, you might call him a copycat. The word copycat is a lighthearted, gently derogatory word for a person who imitates someone else. If you love your friend's red shoes so much that you run out and buy identical ones, she might call you a copycat. When a criminal commits a crime that exactly follows the pattern of a previous crime, newspapers often refer to it as a copycat crime. The word has been in use in the United States since at least the 1880s.

Example Sentences

It’s a wake-up call to the art world that the Louvre incident might have spawned a wave of copycat thefts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Dozens of copycat accounts have begun producing similar content and collectively they have racked up millions of views across TikTok and Instagram Reels.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

“It’s a copycat industry — I definitely think others will follow,” said Ted Rossman, a senior industry analyst at Bankrate.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 19, 2026

After a period of shortages and high prices, they’re widely available and prescribed, including copycat versions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

Sandi also raises her hand like a copycat and tells Yoyo and Fifi to raise their hands too.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez