Imitated vs Intimated: Understanding the Distinct Meanings

Ever paused during a busy meeting or while managing your calendar and wondered whether to write imitated vs intimated? It’s a small detail, but in business communication, formal writing, or even a quick project update, using the wrong word can completely change your message. The confusion between “Imitated vs Intimated” is more common than you’d think—one deals with copying, while the other hints at subtle communication or suggestion. Knowing the difference matters, especially if you want to sound polished, professional, and consistent across your emails, reports, or presentations.

In this article, we’ll break down the key distinctions between these two easily mixed-up terms and show you how to use each correctly in formal writing, English grammar, and professional contexts. You’ll also learn how regional preferences—like US vs. UK style guides—may affect spelling or tone. Whether you’re scheduling a meeting, managing time slots in an online booking system, or broadcasting updates in a project management tool, mastering precise language builds trust and clarity. Let’s explore how to never mix up imitated and intimated again.

Why “Imitated” vs “Intimated” Matters

Words shape how others perceive your intelligence and precision. Swapping imitated for intimated might seem minor, but it changes what you’re actually saying.

For example:

• Incorrect: “The actor intimated the villain perfectly.”
• Correct: “The actor imitated the villain perfectly.”

One word describes copying, the other hinting. That’s a world of difference in meaning.

In writing, even small errors like this can undermine your credibility. Whether you’re composing an email, a research paper, or a novel, using words precisely shows clarity of thought—and readers notice.

Definitions and Origins

Understanding these words begins with where they came from. English inherited both from Latin, but their roots point in different directions.

“Imitated” — To Copy or Reproduce

• Definition: The past tense of imitate, meaning to copy, mimic, or emulate someone or something.
• Etymology: From Latin imitari, meaning to copy or mimic.
• Part of Speech: Verb.

Examples:

• “She imitated her mother’s handwriting so perfectly it was hard to tell them apart.”
• “The robot imitated human speech patterns.”

Imitation involves replication—it’s about reproducing what already exists. Whether it’s a comedian copying a politician’s voice or a company reproducing a competitor’s product, imitation centers on resemblance.

“Intimated” — To Hint or Suggest

• Definition: The past tense of intimate (verb), meaning to hint, suggest, or imply something indirectly.
• Etymology: From Latin intimare, meaning to make known subtly or to communicate privately.
• Part of Speech: Verb.

Examples:

• “He intimated that he might retire soon.”
• “The minister intimated changes to the existing policy.”

Intimating is communicating indirectly. Instead of saying something outright, you let the listener infer it. It’s subtle, strategic, and often used in formal or delicate contexts.

Quick Comparison Table

Word	Core Meaning	Common Use Case Example	Tone or Style
Imitated	Copied or emulated	“She imitated her teacher’s accent.”	Neutral, descriptive
Intimated	Hinted or suggested	“He intimated that a raise was coming.”	Formal, indirect

Key takeaway:
If you’re copying, use imitated.
If you’re hinting, use intimated.

Usage in Context

Context is everything. Both verbs play distinct roles depending on what you’re trying to communicate.

When to Use “Imitated”

You use imitated whenever someone is reproducing behavior, style, or sound.

Common uses:

• Behavioral imitation: “Children often imitate their parents.”
• Artistic imitation: “Picasso’s style has been imitated by countless artists.”
• Technological imitation: “AI systems imitate human conversation.”

In every case, the subject is doing something already done by someone else. It implies learning, mimicry, or repetition.

“Imitation is not just flattery—it’s the first step toward mastery.”
— Anonymous

Synonyms: copied, mirrored, mimicked, replicated, reproduced, emulated.

When to Use “Intimated”

Use intimated when someone suggests or conveys something indirectly. It’s a softer, more diplomatic way to express an idea.

Common uses:

• Subtle communication: “She intimated her displeasure through silence.”
• Formal settings: “The board intimated that budget cuts were coming.”
• Emotional nuance: “He intimated his feelings without saying them aloud.”

In professional and literary writing, intimated is a mark of sophistication—it suggests nuance and restraint.

Synonyms: hinted, implied, suggested, alluded, inferred.

Why the Mix-Up Happens

These words get tangled for three main reasons:

• They look similar. Both end in -ated and sound alike when spoken quickly.
• They’re both verbs. Readers may assume similar grammar means similar meaning.
• Lack of familiarity. “Intimated” isn’t as common in everyday speech, so it’s easy to mistake for something else.

Here’s how to spot errors before they slip through:

Common Mistake	Why It’s Wrong	Corrected Version
“He intimated her accent perfectly.”	You can’t hint an accent.	“He imitated her accent perfectly.”
“She imitated that the meeting was canceled.”	You can’t copy information.	“She intimated that the meeting was canceled.”

Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

Mistakes happen, especially when two words sound alike. Let’s look at the most frequent mix-ups and how to fix them.

Mistake #1: Using “Intimated” Instead of “Imitated”

Wrong: “The parrot intimated its owner’s voice.”
Why wrong: The parrot isn’t hinting—it’s copying.
Correct: “The parrot imitated its owner’s voice.”

Mistake #2: Using “Imitated” Instead of “Intimated”

Wrong: “The CEO imitated that the company would expand.”
Why wrong: The CEO isn’t copying—they’re implying.
Correct: “The CEO intimated that the company would expand.”

Mistake #3: Confusing “Intimate” (Adjective) with “Intimated” (Verb)

Wrong: “They had an intimated relationship.”
Correct: “They had an intimate relationship.”

Tip: Intimate (adjective) means close or personal. Intimated (verb) means hinted or suggested.

Quick Tips to Remember the Difference

1. Ask yourself: Am I talking about copying or hinting?
2. Try a synonym test:
   
   • If copy fits → use imitated.
   • If suggest fits → use intimated.
3. Use a mental shortcut:
   
   • Imitate starts with “I” like “Image” → something visual you copy.
   • Intimate starts with “In” like “inside” → something subtle, internal, or implied.

Memory Aids and Mnemonics

Mnemonic devices help lock tricky distinctions into long-term memory.

• “Imitated = I mimic.”
  → Think of the “I” standing for “I copy.”
• “Intimated = In timidly suggested.”
  → The phrase “In timidly” reminds you of hinting quietly or suggesting softly.
• Visual Trick:
  
  • Imagine two people: one mimicking gestures (imitated) and another whispering a secret (intimated).
  • The first is obvious; the second is subtle—that’s your cue.

Mini Quiz

Try filling in the blanks below:

1. The comedian _______ the president’s voice to perfection.
2. She _______ that the project might get delayed.
3. The teacher _______ her student’s enthusiasm.
4. He _______ that there were issues with the report.

Answers:

1. imitated
2. intimated
3. imitated
4. intimated

Nuances, Related Words, and Advanced Usage

English words rarely exist in isolation. Understanding their nuances deepens your mastery of tone and precision.

Nuance in “Imitated”

• Can be positive (emulating a role model) or negative (copying without originality).
• Often associated with learning, comedy, or artificial reproduction.

Examples:

• “Young writers often imitate the style of their literary heroes.”
• “Cheap brands imitated the luxury design.”

Nuance in “Intimated”

• Implies subtlety—the art of saying something without saying it outright.
• Common in diplomacy, politics, and literature.

Examples:

• “The diplomat intimated that negotiations were fragile.”
• “Her silence intimated disapproval more strongly than words could.”

Related Words

For “Imitated”	For “Intimated”
Emulated	Suggested
Copied	Implied
Reproduced	Hinted
Mimicked	Alluded
Parodied	Inferred

Pro tip:
When you can replace your word with hinted, you’re in intimated territory.
When you can replace it with copied, you’re talking about imitated.

Words Often Confused Together

English loves to trip us up with similar-looking words. Here are a few others that get tangled with imitated and intimated.

Word	Meaning	Example
Intimate (adj.)	Close, personal	“They share an intimate friendship.”
Intimidate (verb)	To frighten or bully	“The coach intimidated his players.”
Imitate (verb)	To copy	“The student imitated the scientist’s experiment.”

Note: “Intimate,” “intimated,” and “intimidate” all stem from Latin roots but carry very different meanings. The small letter differences matter—a lot.

Read More: That’s or Thats – Which Is Correct? A Comprehensive Guide

Real-World Examples and Case Studies

Case Study 1: Corporate Communication Gone Wrong

A global company once sent an internal memo that read:

“The management has imitated potential structural changes for the next quarter.”

The intended meaning was “hinted” or “suggested,” but imitated turned the message into nonsense. Employees were confused—were the changes copies of another company’s structure?

A single wrong word created unnecessary panic. The revised sentence read:

“The management has intimated potential structural changes for the next quarter.”

This small correction clarified intent instantly.

Case Study 2: Media Reporting Example

In a political column, a journalist once wrote:

“The minister imitated that further tax reforms were on the horizon.”

Critics mocked the phrasing. What the writer meant was “intimated.” The mix-up made the article go viral for the wrong reason.

Lesson? Always double-check which word carries your intended meaning—especially in public communication.

Case Study 3: Literature and Subtlety

In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, communication often happens through implication. Characters intimate feelings rather than express them directly.

For example, Mr. Darcy intimates affection through small actions long before he confesses love. That’s intimation, not imitation.

By contrast, in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Feste the clown imitates others to entertain the court. His copying is physical, vocal, and deliberate—clearly imitation.

Practice Exercises

Test yourself with these exercises. You’ll find it easier to internalize the difference by applying it.

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Word

Select imitated or intimated for each sentence:

• The assistant ___ that layoffs might occur.
• The artist ___ Van Gogh’s brushstrokes in her painting.
• The child ___ his father’s posture during dinner.
• The lawyer ___ that new evidence had surfaced.

Answers: 1. intimated, 2. imitated, 3. imitated, 4. intimated.

Exercise 2: Fix the Sentences

Rewrite each to correct the misuse.

Incorrect Sentence	Corrected Version
“He intimated the dog’s bark.”	“He imitated the dog’s bark.”
“The spokesperson imitated changes to company policy.”	“The spokesperson intimated changes to company policy.”

Exercise 3: Create Your Own Sentences

Write one sentence using imitated and another using intimated.
Then, switch them and see how strange the sentence becomes. This exercise reinforces how different their meanings truly are.

Summary and Key Takeaways

Let’s wrap up what we’ve learned.

Word	Meaning	Usage
Imitated	Copied, emulated, reproduced	“She imitated her teacher’s style.”
Intimated	Hinted, suggested, implied	“He intimated he might resign.”

Main Difference:

• Imitated = Copying something visible or external.
• Intimated = Hinting at something internal or unspoken.

Quick Recap:

• Think mimic for imitate.
• Think hint for intimate.
• They sound similar, but their meanings live in different worlds.

Remember: clarity is power. Using the right word not only conveys your message better—it elevates your writing.

Final Thoughts

In the end, knowing the difference between imitated and intimated isn’t just about grammar—it’s about clarity and credibility. The first means to copy or mimic, while the second means to hint, suggest, or communicate subtly. Mixing them up can confuse your reader or distort your message, especially in business communication, formal reports, or professional emails.

Whether you’re drafting a meeting summary, updating a project management calendar, or refining your writing style for consistency, precision matters. Following established style guides—and staying aware of US vs. UK usage nuances—helps you maintain professionalism and polish. So, the next time you write, remember: if you’re copying, it’s imitated; if you’re implying, it’s intimated. That small distinction can make a big difference in how your words resonate.

FAQS

1. What is the main difference between “imitated” and “intimated”?

“Imitated” means to copy or replicate someone or something, often to resemble their actions, style, or behavior. “Intimated”, on the other hand, means to hint at, suggest, or communicate subtly without saying something directly.

2. Can “intimated” be used in formal writing?

Yes. “Intimated” is commonly used in formal writing and business communication to convey indirect or diplomatic messages. For example: The manager intimated that changes might be coming. It’s a refined way to express subtle suggestions.

3. Is “imitated” ever used in professional or business contexts?

Absolutely. You might use “imitated” in presentations, reports, or creative industries to describe when one process, model, or product is copied or replicated. For example: The system imitates human decision-making for faster scheduling and project management.

4. Do “imitated” and “intimated” have the same pronunciation?

No, they sound different.

• Imitated is pronounced /ˈɪmɪteɪtɪd/ (IM-uh-tay-tid)
• Intimated is pronounced /ˈɪntɪmeɪtɪd/ (IN-tuh-may-tid)
  Their similar endings can cause confusion, but careful pronunciation helps distinguish them.

5. Are there regional differences (US vs. UK) in how these words are used?

Not significantly. Both US and UK English use imitated and intimated with the same meanings. However, style guides like The Chicago Manual of Style (US) and The Oxford Style Manual (UK) may differ in tone or preferred phrasing when these words appear in formal writing or business communication.