mime

1 of 3

noun

ˈmīm How to pronounce mime (audio)
 also  ˈmēm
1
: an ancient dramatic entertainment representing scenes from life usually in a ridiculous manner
2
a
: an actor in a mime
b
: one that practices mime
3
4

mime

2 of 3

verb

mimed; miming

intransitive verb

: to act a part with mimic gesture and action usually without words

transitive verb

1
: mimic
2
: to act out in the manner of a mime
mimer noun

MIME

3 of 3

abbreviation

multipurpose Internet mail extensions

Examples of mime in a Sentence

Noun an actor with a gift for mime a performance done in mime an actor who is a talented mime Verb He mimed playing a guitar. She mimed picking up the phone and dialing a number.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Gaga was spotted filming the Joker sequel in New York on Saturday, in full harlequin regalia, including a shiny red blazer and mime makeup — a far cry from Margot Robbie’s pop-punk take on the character. Vulture, 25 Mar. 2023 The brainchild of Austrian artist, writer and actor André Heller, Luna Luna featured a Keith Haring carousel, a Basquiat ferris wheel, a David Hockney geometric forest pavilion, stilt walkers, mimes and other theatrics. Kamren Curiel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2024 Using mime, his students learn to embody the suffering of patients with multiple sclerosis, dementia, seizures, aphasia and other disorders, a process that helps build long-term recall as well as empathy. Rachel Sherman Lanna Apisukh, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2023 Michael Urie lends an elastic face and sing-songy intonations to Sir Robin, and Ethan Slater’s dexterous physical humor, as a French mime, an effete prince and a naked puppeteer, is always welcome. Naveen Kumar, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023 Under the influence of such a potent mix, the user sometimes becomes paralyzed, appearing like a mime or a mannequin, frozen in mid-stride on a sidewalk or in the middle of a street. Courtland Milloy, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023 After the leading character of the piece killed the rest of the crew in a violent hurricane of movement, a trio of mimes arrived to torment the remaining dancer with a cigarette and by humping an invisible box. Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2023 From middle school productions of Fame to joining a mime troupe and performing in Hair, Josh was always involved in entertaining others. Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 27 Aug. 2023 Imagine walking into a room full of mimes and pretending to shoot one of them with a bow and arrow, Mastroianni says. Sofia Quaglia, Popular Science, 29 June 2023
Verb
As the Bucks headed to their bench, Curry mimed a golf swing. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024 Jackson slammed his helmet down afterward and then, sitting on the sideline, placed his hands over his face, miming the helplessness of Ravens fans everywhere. Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2024 Brent Urban mimed throwing cash onto Clowney as the crowd cheered him on and the ESPN broadcast lauded his bonus. Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2024 Cage asks, repeating the absurd gesture Paul makes of miming drinking wine at a highfalutin dinner. Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2024 Three stages offered such varied entertainment as Morris dancing, magic, miming, juggling, flame eating, Renaissance music, bawdy ballads, lute and recorder performances, and scenes from William Shakespeare’s plays. Gillian Bagwell, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Sep. 2023 Skye, 28, Harvey, 26, and Bieber, 26, then take their turns in miming the words of her mom. Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 25 Aug. 2023 Throughout the conference, Korine mimed taking puffs of his cigar. Ellise Shafer, Variety, 2 Sep. 2023 Through gestures and miming, Carias learned how to become a puppeteer. Joelle Estelle Mendoza, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mime.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin mimus, from Greek mimos

First Known Use

Noun

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1728, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of mime was in 1616

Dictionary Entries Near mime

Cite this Entry

“Mime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mime. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mime

1 of 2 noun
ˈmīm How to pronounce mime (audio)
ˈmēm
1
a
: an actor in a mime
b
: a person who practices mime
2
3
: an ancient play or skit representing scenes from life usually in a ridiculous manner
4
: the art of showing a character or telling a story by body movements

mime

2 of 2 verb
mimed; miming
1
: to act in a mime
2
: to imitate closely : mimic
3
: to act out in the manner of a mime

More from Merriam-Webster on mime

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