Immitated vs Intimated: What’s the Difference and Which Word Is Correct

When choosing between imitated vs intimated, it is easy to confuse these words because they look and sound somewhat similar. However, they have completely different meanings and are used in different situations. Imitated means copied or reproduced the way someone or something behaves, looks, sounds, or works. Intimated means communicated, suggested, or made something known, often indirectly or formally.

For example, “The child imitated his teacher” means the child copied the teacher’s actions or behavior. On the other hand, “She intimated that she might leave” means she suggested or hinted that she might leave. Understanding this distinction can help you avoid spelling mistakes and choose the right word when writing or speaking English. This guide explains imitated vs intimated, their meanings, grammar, examples, common mistakes, and an easy memory trick to remember the difference.

Quick Answer: Imitated vs Intimated

Imitated means copied, mimicked, or reproduced something or someone. Intimated means communicated, suggested, or hinted at something. Use imitated when talking about copying behavior, appearance, sounds, or actions. Use intimated when someone communicates an idea indirectly or makes something known.

Why Do People Confuse Imitated and Intimated?

People often confuse imitated and intimated because both words contain similar letters and have a similar rhythm when pronounced.

There is also a major spelling trap: imitated comes from the verb imitate, while intimated comes from the verb intimate.

Their meanings, however, are very different:

• Imitated → copied or mimicked
• Intimated → suggested, hinted, or communicated
• Intimidated → frightened or made someone feel afraid

The third word, intimidated, is especially important because it looks even more similar but has a completely different meaning.

What Does “Imitated” Mean?

Imitated is the past tense and past participle of imitate.

To imitate means to copy the actions, behavior, appearance, voice, style, or characteristics of someone or something.

Examples of “Imitated”

• The boy imitated his father’s voice.
• She imitated the dancer’s movements.
• The comedian imitated the famous actor.
• The new product imitated the design of an older model.
• The baby imitated her mother’s smile.

In each example, something is being copied or reproduced.

Simple Definition

Imitated = copied or mimicked.

If someone does something because they are copying another person, imitated is usually the correct word.

What Does “Intimated” Mean?

Intimated is the past tense and past participle of intimate, when intimate is used as a verb.

As a verb, intimate means to communicate or make something known, often indirectly rather than stating it openly.

It can also mean to hint or suggest something.

Examples of “Intimated”

• He intimated that he was unhappy with the decision.
• The manager intimated that changes were coming.
• She intimated that she might accept the offer.
• The report intimated that the company had financial problems.
• He intimated his disagreement without saying it directly.

Here, nobody is copying anyone. Instead, an idea or message is being suggested or communicated.

Simple Definition

Intimated = suggested, hinted, or communicated.

Immitated vs Intimated: Comparison Table

Word	Meaning	Main Use	Example
Imitated	Copied or mimicked	Actions, sounds, styles, behavior, appearances	She imitated her teacher.
Intimated	Suggested or communicated indirectly	Ideas, feelings, intentions, information	He intimated that he disagreed.
Intimidated	Made afraid or nervous	Fear, pressure, nervousness	The student felt intimidated by the difficult exam.

Note: “Immitated” with two m’s is generally a misspelling. The correct spelling is imitated.

When Should You Use “Imitated”?

Use imitated when something is being copied or mimicked.

Common situations include:

Copying a Person

• The child imitated his older brother.
• The actor imitated the politician’s voice.

Copying a Sound

• The bird imitated the sound of a phone.
• He imitated the sound of a train.

Copying a Style

• The artist imitated the style of a famous painter.
• The designer imitated the traditional pattern.

Copying Behavior

• The students imitated their teacher.
• The puppy imitated the older dog’s behavior.

When Should You Use “Intimated”?

Use intimated when someone suggests, hints at, or communicates something without necessarily stating it directly.

Suggesting an Idea

• She intimated that she wanted a promotion.
• He intimated that the meeting might be canceled.

Expressing an Opinion Indirectly

• The director intimated that he disagreed with the proposal.
• She intimated that the decision was unfair.

Communicating an Intention

• The company intimated that it planned to expand.
• The coach intimated that some players would be replaced.

The word is somewhat formal, so everyday English often uses suggested, hinted, or indicated instead.

10+ Examples of “Imitated” and “Intimated”

Here are examples that make the difference easier to see.

1. The child imitated his father.
   → The child copied his father.
2. She imitated the singer’s voice.
   → She copied the singer’s voice.
3. The actor imitated a famous comedian.
   → The actor mimicked the comedian.
4. The puppy imitated the older dog.
   → The puppy copied its behavior.
5. The artist imitated the original painting.
   → The artist copied its style or appearance.
6. He intimated that he was considering resigning.
   → He hinted that he might resign.
7. She intimated that something was wrong.
   → She suggested that something was wrong.
8. The manager intimated that layoffs were possible.
   → The manager indirectly communicated that layoffs might happen.
9. The letter intimated that further action might be necessary.
   → The letter suggested that more action might be needed.
10. He intimated his dissatisfaction with the plan.
    → He communicated or hinted that he was dissatisfied.
11. The student imitated the teacher’s pronunciation.
    → The student copied the pronunciation.
12. The spokesperson intimated that an announcement was coming.
    → The spokesperson hinted that an announcement was coming.

Common Mistakes With “Imitated” and “Intimated”

Mistake 1: Writing “Immitated”

❌ He immitated his brother.

✅ He imitated his brother.

The correct spelling is imitated, with only one m after the initial “i.”

The base verb is:

imitate → imitated

Mistake 2: Using “Imitated” for a Hint

❌ She imitated that she was unhappy.

✅ She intimated that she was unhappy.

If someone suggests something indirectly, use intimated, not imitated.

Mistake 3: Using “Intimated” for Copying

❌ The child intimated his father’s movements.

✅ The child imitated his father’s movements.

Copying movements requires imitated.

Mistake 4: Confusing “Intimated” With “Intimidated”

These words are different:

• Intimated = suggested or communicated
• Intimidated = frightened or made nervous

For example:

The manager intimated that changes were coming.

But:

The strict manager intimidated the new employee.

Memory Trick: How Can You Remember the Difference?

Try this simple trick:

IMITATED = IMITATE = COPY

Think of an imitator. An imitator copies someone or something.

INTIMATED = INTIMATE = HINT

Think of intimated as giving someone a message or suggestion without saying everything directly.

You can remember:

Imitated = copied. Intimated = hinted.

And remember the third word:

Intimidated = frightened.

These three words become much easier once you connect each one with its main meaning.

American vs British English

There is no major difference between American and British English in the basic meanings or spellings of imitated and intimated.

Both varieties use:

• imitated for “copied” or “mimicked”
• intimated for “suggested” or “communicated indirectly”

The main difference you may notice is that intimate as a verb, and therefore intimated, can sound relatively formal in modern everyday English. Speakers may often prefer words such as suggested, hinted, or indicated.

For example:

Formal:

The minister intimated that further discussions were necessary.

More conversational:

The minister hinted that further discussions were necessary.

Similar Words to “Imitated”

If you mean imitated, these words may fit depending on the context:

• Copied
• Mimicked
• Reproduced
• Replicated
• Mirrored
• Emulated
• Modeled
• Parroted
• Re-created
• Followed

These words are not always exact synonyms. For example, emulated often suggests copying someone because you admire or want to achieve a similar level of success.

Similar Words to “Intimated”

If you mean intimated, possible alternatives include:

• Suggested
• Hinted
• Indicated
• Implied
• Communicated
• Signaled
• Conveyed
• Expressed
• Mentioned
• Disclosed

Again, the exact replacement depends on the sentence.

For example:

She intimated that she was unhappy.

could become:

She hinted that she was unhappy.

or:

She suggested that she was unhappy.

Final Verdict: Immitated or Intimated?

The correct choice depends on what you want to say.

Use imitated when you mean copied, mimicked, or reproduced something.

Use intimated when you mean suggested, hinted, or communicated something indirectly.

Also remember that immitated is a common spelling mistake. The correct spelling is imitated.

Quick rule:

Imitated = copied.
Intimated = hinted or communicated.
Intimidated = frightened.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is “immitated” a correct spelling?

No. Immitated is generally a misspelling. The correct spelling is imitated, which is the past tense of imitate.

What is the difference between imitated and intimated?

Imitated means copied or mimicked. Intimated means suggested, hinted, or communicated something, often indirectly.

What does “imitated” mean in a sentence?

“Imitated” means that someone or something was copied or mimicked.

For example:

The child imitated his mother.

This means the child copied his mother’s actions or behavior.

What does “intimated” mean in a sentence?

“Intimated” means suggested or communicated something without necessarily stating it directly.

For example:

She intimated that she wanted to leave.

This means she hinted or suggested that she wanted to leave.

Is “intimated” the same as “intimidated”?

No. Intimated means suggested or communicated indirectly. Intimidated means frightened, pressured, or made nervous.

Is “imitated” a verb?

Yes. Imitated is the past tense and past participle of the verb imitate.

Example:

He imitated the actor’s voice.

What is another word for “imitated”?

Depending on the context, alternatives include copied, mimicked, replicated, reproduced, mirrored, and emulated.

What is another word for “intimated”?

Depending on the context, alternatives include suggested, hinted, implied, indicated, signaled, and conveyed.

Remember This

If you are talking about copying, choose imitated.

If you are talking about hinting or suggesting, choose intimated.

If you are talking about making someone afraid or nervous, choose intimidated.

Imitated = copied
Intimated = hinted
Intimidated = frightened

Conclusion

The difference between imitated and intimated is mainly a difference in meaning. Imitated comes from imitate and describes copying a person, action, sound, appearance, style, or behavior. Intimated comes from intimate as a verb and means that someone suggested, hinted at, or communicated something, often indirectly. They may look similar, but they cannot normally be substituted for each other.

When writing, first ask yourself what is happening in the sentence. If something is being copied, use imitated. If an idea or message is being suggested indirectly, use intimated. And if someone is being made afraid or nervous, remember that the correct word is intimidated. This simple three-word distinction can prevent many common spelling and vocabulary mistakes.