# imitate vs initiate

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### imitate
*verb · IPA /ˈɪmɪteɪt/ · frequency rank #19,863*
To follow as a model or a pattern; to make a copy, counterpart or semblance of.

### initiate
*verb · IPA /ɪˈnɪʃ.i.eɪt/ · frequency rank #10,558*
To begin; to start.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/imitate-vs-initiate