# imitation

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɪmɪˈteɪʃn̩/ · frequency rank #15,631

## Definitions
1. The act of imitating.
2. A copy or simulation; something that is not the real thing.

## Etymology
From Middle English imitacioun, from Middle French imitacion, from Old French imitacion, from Latin imitatio.

## Easily confused with
- **invitation** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/imitation-vs-invitation)
- **initiation** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/imitation-vs-initiation)
- **irritation** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/imitation-vs-irritation)
- **imitating** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/imitating-vs-imitation)

## Common misspellings (13)
`iimtation`, `imiattion`, `imitaiton`, `imitasion`, `imitatino`, `imitationn`, `imitatoin`, `imitattion`, `imittaion`, `imittation`, `immitation`, `imtiation`, `miitation`

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