Imitated vs. Intimated can confuse learners because the words look alike and have an almost identical appearance, but their meaning, usage, and function are different. Imitated means copied or mimicked, while Intimated means hinted or suggested.
A child may mimic a parent’s behavior, style, voice, or actions by copying them directly. In contrast, someone may have hinted at layoffs without stating the idea plainly or saying it outright.
This small spelling difference can change the direction of a sentence, so careful observation of context is essential for clarity. As a student of English, I’ve found that real-life examples make these tricky word pairs easier to recognize and use with confidence.
Quick Answer
Imitated means copied or mimicked. It is the past tense and past participle of imitate.
Intimated means hinted, suggested, or communicated something indirectly. It is the past tense and past participle of the verb intimate.
| Word | Meaning | Simple substitute | Example |
| Imitated | Copied or mimicked | copied | She imitated her teacher’s accent. |
| Intimated | Hinted or suggested | hinted | She intimated that she might resign. |
| Intimidated | Made someone fearful or less confident | frightened | The large crowd intimidated him. |
The easiest rule is this:
Imitated = copied. Intimated = hinted. Intimidated = frightened.
Once you connect each word with its action, the confusion becomes much easier to avoid.
Comparison Overview
The most important difference between imitated vs. intimated is what the subject does.
Imitated describes an action involving copying or reproduction. Someone copies a voice, movement, behavior, style, sound, design, or another recognizable characteristic.
Intimated describes communication. Someone doesn’t necessarily say something directly. Instead, they hint at an idea, suggest an intention, or communicate a message indirectly.
| Feature | Imitated | Intimated |
| Base verb | Imitate | Intimate |
| Word type | Verb | Verb |
| Past tense | Imitated | Intimated |
| Core meaning | Copied or mimicked | Hinted or suggested |
| Main idea | Reproduction | Indirect communication |
| Common objects | Voice, behavior, style, sound, movement | Idea, intention, concern, possibility, opinion |
| Example | He imitated his father. | He intimated that he was unhappy. |
| Common synonym | Copied | Hinted |
So when you see intimated, look at the verb meaning. Don’t automatically associate it with the adjective intimate.
Main Differences Between Imitated vs. Intimated
The distinction becomes much clearer when you look at what each word describes.
Imitated Means “Copied”
Imitated is the past form of imitate. Merriam-Webster defines imitate as following something as a pattern, model, or example. It can also mean copying or repeating someone’s form, qualities, conduct, manners, or other characteristics.
For example:
The student imitated her teacher’s handwriting.
The student reproduced the teacher’s writing style.
Another example:
The child imitated his father’s laugh.
The child copied the sound and manner of the laugh.
The key idea is similarity created through copying.
You can often replace imitated with copied without changing the basic meaning:
- He imitated her accent.
- He copied her accent.
Both sentences describe reproduction.
However, imitate doesn’t always mean an exact duplicate. Merriam-Webster notes that imitate can suggest following a model or pattern while allowing some variation.
That distinction separates imitate from the narrower idea of making an exact copy.
Intimated Means “Hinted”
Intimated is the past form of the verb intimate.
In this use, it means that someone communicated an idea indirectly. Merriam-Webster gives hint as a core synonym and also includes indicate, imply, and suggest among related verbs.
For example:
The manager intimated that layoffs might occur.
The manager didn’t necessarily say, “Layoffs will happen.” Instead, the manager gave an indirect indication that layoffs were possible.
Another example:
She intimated that she wasn’t pleased with the decision.
The sentence tells you about an implied message rather than a copied action.
You can often replace intimated with hinted:
- He intimated that he would leave.
- He hinted that he would leave.
The second version sounds more conversational. The first sounds more formal.
The Real Difference Is Action vs. Communication
Here’s a useful way to think about the two words:
Imitation creates resemblance. Intimation communicates an idea.
Imagine a student watching a skilled painter.
If the student copies the painter’s technique, the student imitated the technique.
If the painter quietly suggests that the student needs more practice, the painter intimated that improvement was needed.
One action involves copying. The other involves an indirect message.
What Does “Imitated” Mean?
The verb imitate has a surprisingly broad range of uses. Merriam-Webster includes copying someone’s form, character, qualities, conduct, manners, or other features. It also covers following a model, resembling something, and producing a copy.
That means imitated can describe far more than a person doing a funny impression.
Imitated Speech
Someone can imitate an accent, voice, pronunciation pattern, or speaking style.
The actor imitated the president’s voice for the comedy sketch.
The actor reproduced recognizable features of the voice.
Imitated Behavior
People can imitate actions and mannerisms.
The child imitated his older brother’s gestures.
The child copied what his brother did.
Imitated Writing
Writers can imitate another writer’s style.
The student imitated the author’s formal writing style.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the student copied individual sentences. The student may have followed the author’s characteristic approach, rhythm, vocabulary, or structure.
Imitated Sounds
Animals and people can imitate sounds.
The bird imitated the ringtone perfectly.
The bird reproduced a sound it had heard.
Imitated Designs and Appearances
The word can also describe objects that resemble other things.
The material imitated the appearance of natural stone.
Here, the material wasn’t communicating a hidden message. It was designed to resemble something else.
Merriam-Webster also recognizes biological mimicry as a use of imitate, showing that the word isn’t restricted to deliberate human copying.
Common Things People Imitate
You can imitate:
- Voices
- Accents
- Facial expressions
- Gestures
- Mannerisms
- Writing styles
- Artistic techniques
- Sounds
- Movements
- Designs
- Behaviors
- Models or examples
- Certain natural appearances
The common thread remains the same: something resembles another thing because it follows its pattern or characteristics.
What Does “Intimated” Mean?
The verb intimate is less common in everyday conversation than hint, suggest, or indicate. Still, it has a precise and legitimate place in formal writing.
Merriam-Webster defines the verb as communicating delicately and indirectly or making something known, especially publicly or formally.
That gives intimated two closely related uses.
Intimated as “Hinted”
This is the meaning most useful for distinguishing it from imitated.
The director intimated that the project might be canceled.
The director gave an indirect indication of a possible cancellation.
The sentence doesn’t necessarily mean the director made a direct announcement.
Intimated as “Suggested”
Consider:
The report intimated that the company had ignored several warnings.
The report suggested that this had happened. The wording presents the information indirectly rather than as a blunt statement.
Intimated as an Intention
The word frequently appears with intentions and future actions.
The senator intimated an intention to oppose the bill.
This means the senator gave an indication that opposition was intended.
A more conversational version would be:
The senator hinted that he planned to oppose the bill.
Both sentences convey essentially the same idea. The difference lies largely in tone.
Intimated as a Formal Announcement
The verb can also have a more formal sense of making something known or announcing it. Merriam-Webster specifically includes this sense alongside the meaning “hint.”
This use is important because it prevents an overly narrow definition.
Intimated does not always mean that something was secretive or vague. Context determines whether the word means an indirect hint or a more formal communication.
Imitated vs. Intimated Examples
Seeing the two words beside each other makes the difference much easier to remember.
| Sentence with imitated | Sentence with intimated |
| The comedian imitated the singer’s voice. | The singer intimated that she was leaving. |
| The child imitated his mother. | The mother intimated that she was worried. |
| The actor imitated the character’s mannerisms. | The actor intimated that the scene needed changes. |
| The designer imitated the look of antique furniture. | The designer intimated that the collection wasn’t finished. |
| The student imitated the professor’s writing style. | The professor intimated that the student’s work needed revision. |
Notice what happens in each column.
The imitated sentences involve something observable being copied.
The intimated sentences involve an idea, feeling, intention, or message being communicated.
How to Use “Imitated” in a Sentence
The most common structure is:
Subject + imitated + person or thing being copied
For example:
Maria imitated her sister’s dance moves.
Here are more examples:
- The actor imitated the politician’s distinctive voice.
- The children imitated their coach’s movements.
- The apprentice imitated the chef’s technique.
- The parrot imitated the sounds it heard.
- The designer imitated the older building’s decorative details.
- The student imitated the author’s writing style.
The object after imitated usually represents the model being copied.
That gives you a useful grammar clue. If the sentence needs a word meaning “copied,” imitated is probably the right choice.
How to Use “Intimated” in a Sentence
The structure of intimated often looks different.
A common pattern is:
Subject + intimated + that + clause
Examples include:
The manager intimated that the schedule could change.
She intimated that she wanted to leave early.
The lawyer intimated that additional evidence existed.
The company intimated that prices could rise.
Another pattern uses a noun:
Subject + intimated + noun
For example:
He intimated his intention to resign.
She intimated her concerns about the proposal.
This pattern often appears in formal journalism, reports, business writing, and official statements.
If you encounter intimated that, pay attention. The word following it usually introduces an idea or proposition rather than something being copied.
A Practical Case Study: One Meeting, Three Different Words
Imagine a company meeting where an executive discusses a major product launch.
First, the executive makes a joke using the CEO’s distinctive voice.
The executive imitated the CEO’s voice.
That’s imitation because the executive copied a recognizable vocal style.
Later, the executive says that the launch date “may not be as firm as everyone thinks.”
The executive intimated that the launch date might change.
That’s intimation because the executive indirectly suggested a possibility.
Finally, a junior employee becomes nervous because the executive has a reputation for aggressive questioning.
The employee felt intimidated during the meeting.
That’s intimidation because the employee experienced fear or a sense of pressure.
The three words now have three distinct jobs:
- Imitated → copied
- Intimated → hinted
- Intimidated → frightened or pressured
This is more than a spelling exercise. Each verb describes a different action or experience.
Common Mistakes With Imitated and Intimated
Mistake: Using “Intimated” for Copying
Incorrect:
She intimated her mother’s accent.
If she copied her mother’s accent, the correct word is:
She imitated her mother’s accent.
An accent is something you can reproduce. You’re not indirectly communicating an idea.
Mistake: Using “Imitated” for Hinting
Incorrect:
The manager imitated that layoffs were coming.
Correct:
The manager intimated that layoffs were coming.
The manager didn’t copy layoffs. The manager hinted that they might happen.
Read More: Reevaluation or Re-evaluation: Which Spelling Is Correct?
Mistake: Assuming “Intimate” Always Means “Close”
This mistake happens because most readers encounter intimate as an adjective.
For example:
They are intimate friends.
Here, intimate describes a close relationship.
But:
She intimated that she knew about the problem.
Here, intimated comes from the verb intimate and means she communicated the information indirectly.
Merriam-Webster treats the adjective, noun, and verb as separate uses of intimate.
| Form | Meaning | Example |
| Intimate as adjective | Close, personal, private | They shared an intimate conversation. |
| Intimate as noun | Close friend or confidant | He was one of her closest intimates. |
| Intimate as verb | Hint or communicate indirectly | She intimated that something was wrong. |
| Intimated | Past tense of the verb | She intimated that something was wrong. |
Don’t Confuse “Imitated” With “Intimidated”
A third word makes this spelling family even more confusing: intimidated.
Unlike imitated and intimated, intimidated has nothing to do with copying or hinting.
The verb intimidate means to make someone timid or fearful. Merriam-Webster notes that it can involve compelling or deterring someone through threats.
For example:
The hostile crowd intimidated the young speaker.
The speaker felt fear or pressure.
Another example:
She wasn’t intimidated by the difficult interview.
She wasn’t frightened or made to feel inferior by the situation.
The three words therefore form a useful vocabulary trio:
| Word | Core idea | Example |
| Imitated | Copied | He imitated the actor. |
| Intimated | Hinted | He intimated that he disagreed. |
| Intimidated | Frightened or pressured | He was intimidated by the opponent. |
The difference between intimidated and intimated is especially important because one extra syllable changes the meaning completely.
Pronunciation: Imitated vs. Intimated
Pronunciation can offer another clue, although meaning should always come first.
Imitate is pronounced roughly like IM-uh-tate, while intimate as a verb is pronounced roughly like IN-tuh-mate. Merriam-Webster gives imitate as /ˈi-mə-ˌtāt/ and the verb intimate as /ˈin-tə-ˌmāt/.
The final forms are therefore distinct:
- Imitated → associated with imitate
- Intimated → associated with the verb intimate
Be careful with intimate, though. The adjective has a different pronunciation from the verb. Merriam-Webster lists the adjective as /ˈin-tə-mət/ while the verb is /ˈin-tə-ˌmāt/.
That pronunciation difference is useful when speaking because the adjective intimate and the verb intimate aren’t pronounced identically.
Formal vs. Everyday Use of “Intimated”
One reason intimated can feel unfamiliar is that everyday English often favors simpler verbs.
A formal sentence might say:
The director intimated that further changes were possible.
A conversational version might say:
The director hinted that more changes were possible.
Both communicate the same basic idea.
You might also use:
- suggested
- indicated
- implied
- hinted
- signaled
The best choice depends on context.
Intimated can work particularly well in formal prose when the writer wants to emphasize that a message wasn’t stated directly.
However, don’t use it simply because it sounds sophisticated. If hinted communicates the idea more naturally, hinted may be the stronger choice.
Good writing isn’t about choosing the longest word. It’s about choosing the most precise one.
FAQs:
1. What is the difference between Imitated and Intimated?
Imitated means copied or mimicked, usually someone’s behavior, voice, style, or actions. Intimated means hinted, suggested, or implied something without saying it directly.
2. Is Imitated the same as copied?
Yes. Imitated generally means copied or reproduced. For example, “The child imitated her mother’s accent” means the child copied the way her mother spoke.
3. What does Intimated mean?
Intimated is the past tense of the verb “intimate” when it means to hint or suggest something indirectly. For example, “The manager intimated that changes were coming” means the manager hinted at upcoming changes.
4. How can I remember the difference between Imitated and Intimated?
Think of Imitated as imitation, which means copying. For Intimated, think of an indirect hint or suggestion. If someone copies something, use imitated; if someone only suggests it, use intimated.
5. Can Intimated mean close or personal?
The related word intimate can be an adjective meaning close, personal, or private. However, intimated as a verb has a different meaning: it refers to hinting or suggesting something indirectly.
Conclusion:
Although Imitated and Intimated look and sound similar, they have completely different meanings. Imitated is about copying or mimicking something, while Intimated is about hinting or suggesting something without stating it directly. Remembering this simple distinction can help you choose the right word in both writing and everyday speech. When you see these two words, focus on the action: copying means imitated, while hinting means intimated.
