Copycat

/ˈkɒpiˌkæt/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A person who imitates or mimics the actions or ideas of another.
He's just a copycat who tries to replicate everyone else's work.
An imitation or reproduction of something, especially in a way that lacks originality.
The new movie is a total copycat of the original classic.
verb
To imitate someone's actions or ideas.
She tends to copycat her friends' fashion choices without adding her own style.

Etymology

The term 'copycat' originated in the United States, combining 'copy' with 'cat', likely due to the playful, sneaky behavior of cats.

Common Phrases and Expressions

copycat crime
A criminal act that is inspired by or emulates another crime.
copycat behavior
Actions that mimic another's behavior, often seen in children or groups.

Related Words

imitate
to copy the actions, appearance, or behavior of someone.
mimic
to imitate someone or something, typically to entertain or ridicule.
duplicate
to make an exact copy of something.

Slang Meanings

Knock-off
That shirt is just a knock-off; it's a total copycat of the designer version.
Clone
He's a clone of the singer, trying to replicate every performance.