Many English learners confuse imitated and intimated because the words look and sound somewhat similar. However, they have completely different meanings. Imitated means copied or mimicked, while intimated means hinted or suggested indirectly. Using the wrong one can completely change the meaning of a sentence.
If you’ve ever wondered whether to write She imitated his accent or She intimated his accent, this guide explains the difference with simple definitions, grammar rules, examples, comparison tables, common mistakes, and memory tricks.
Quick Answer
Imitated means copied, mimicked, or reproduced someone’s actions, appearance, or behavior. Intimated means hinted, implied, or suggested something indirectly. Although both are correct English words, they are used in very different situations.
Why People Confuse It
People often confuse these words because:
- They have similar spellings.
- Both end in -ated.
- They are pronounced somewhat similarly.
- Both often appear in formal writing.
- They describe communication or behavior, but in different ways.
The key difference is:
- Imitated = Copied
- Intimated = Hinted
What Does “Imitated” Mean?
Imitated is the past tense of imitate, meaning to copy someone’s actions, speech, appearance, or behavior.
Examples of “Imitated”
- The child imitated her teacher.
- He imitated the actor’s voice perfectly.
- She imitated the dance moves.
- The comedian imitated several celebrities.
- Birds often imitate sounds they hear.
- He imitated his father’s handwriting.
- The student imitated the painting technique.
- She imitated his accent for fun.
- The robot imitated human movements.
- They imitated the winning strategy.
What Does “Intimated” Mean?
Intimated is the past tense of intimate (verb), meaning to hint at, imply, or suggest something indirectly without stating it clearly.
This is a fairly formal and less common verb.
Examples of “Intimated”
- She intimated that she might resign.
- The manager intimated a possible promotion.
- He intimated his dissatisfaction during the meeting.
- The report intimated that changes were coming.
- They intimated that negotiations had begun.
- She intimated her support without saying it directly.
- The witness intimated that someone else was involved.
- The article intimated future developments.
- He intimated his concerns politely.
- The spokesperson intimated that an announcement was imminent.
Imitated vs. Intimated Comparison
| Feature | Imitated | Intimated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Copied or mimicked | Hinted or implied |
| Part of Speech | Verb (past tense) | Verb (past tense) |
| Common Usage | Very common | Less common, formal |
| Example | She imitated my voice. | She intimated that she would leave. |
When to Use Each
Use imitated when:
- Copying someone’s behavior.
- Mimicking a voice or accent.
- Reproducing an action or style.
- Talking about imitation.
Use intimated when:
- Hinting at something.
- Suggesting an idea indirectly.
- Implying information without saying it outright.
- Writing formal or professional English.
Examples (10+)
- He imitated the singer’s voice.
- The child imitated her parents.
- She imitated the instructor’s movements.
- The comedian imitated famous politicians.
- The artist imitated a classical style.
- The CEO intimated that layoffs were possible.
- She intimated her decision during the meeting.
- The report intimated a change in policy.
- He intimated that he was unhappy.
- The article intimated future improvements.
- The actor imitated the character perfectly.
- The official intimated that more details would follow.
Common Mistakes
❌ She intimated his accent.
✅ She imitated his accent.
❌ He imitated that he might resign.
✅ He intimated that he might resign.
❌ The comedian intimated a celebrity.
✅ The comedian imitated a celebrity.
❌ The manager imitated future layoffs.
✅ The manager intimated future layoffs.
❌ She intimated the dance moves.
✅ She imitated the dance moves.
Memory Trick
Remember:
- Imitated = Imitation = Copy
- Intimated = Hinted or Implied
A simple clue:
- Imitated starts with imi-, like imitation.
- Intimated contains intim-, which can remind you of communicating something quietly or indirectly.
American vs. British English
There is no major difference between American and British English.
Both varieties use:
- Imitated for copying or mimicking.
- Intimated for hinting or implying.
The verb intimate is formal and relatively uncommon in everyday speech in both varieties.
Similar Words
Other commonly confused words include:
- Imply vs. Infer
- Accept vs. Except
- Advice vs. Advise
- Affect vs. Effect
- Elicit vs. Illicit
- Compliment vs. Complement
- Principal vs. Principle
- Emigrate vs. Immigrate
Final Verdict
Although imitated and intimated look alike, they have completely different meanings. Imitated refers to copying someone’s actions, speech, or behavior, while intimated means hinting or suggesting something indirectly. Knowing this distinction will help you choose the right word and avoid misunderstandings.
Remember This
Imitated = Copied or Mimicked ✅
Intimated = Hinted or Implied ✅
If you’re talking about copying someone, use imitated. If you’re talking about suggesting something indirectly, use intimated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between “imitated” and “intimated”?
Imitated means copied or mimicked. Intimated means hinted or implied.
Is “intimated” a real English word?
Yes. It is the past tense of the verb intimate, meaning to hint or imply.
Which word is more common?
Imitated is much more common in everyday English.
Can I say “She intimated his accent”?
No. The correct phrase is She imitated his accent.
Is “intimated” used in formal writing?
Yes. It is mainly found in formal, legal, business, and literary writing.
Do American and British English use these words differently?
No. Their meanings and usage are essentially the same.
Conclusion
While imitated and intimated share similar spellings, they describe entirely different actions. Imitated is used when someone copies another person’s behavior, speech, or style. Intimated, on the other hand, is used when someone hints at or implies something without stating it directly.
Whenever you’re unsure, ask yourself whether you’re talking about copying or hinting. If it’s about copying, choose imitated. If it’s about suggesting something indirectly, choose intimated.
