mime
mime Lexical Profile
mime Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A theatrical performer who acts out a story or situation using silent gestures and physical movements rather than spoken words.
"A street mime in white face paint entertained the crowd gathered in the public square."
The theatrical technique of suggesting action, character, or emotion through bodily movements, facial expressions, and gestures without the use of speech.
"The drama students practiced the art of mime to improve their expressive stage presence."
In ancient Greece and Rome, a simple farcical drama characterized by mimicry and ludicrous representations of everyday life and characters.
"Classical scholars studied the surviving fragments of ancient Roman mime to better understand popular entertainment."
• verb
To use only gesture and movement to act out a play, role, or action without speaking.
"Since the room was too noisy to talk, she mimed pouring a cup of coffee to ask if he wanted one."
To pretend to sing or play a musical instrument while a pre-recorded track is being played.
"The band was criticized by fans for choosing to mime to a backing track during the television broadcast."
• Rhymes for mime
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 17th century via French from Latin 'mimus', which derives from Ancient Greek 'mimos', meaning an imitator, actor, or farcical drama.