Imitated or Intimated: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-03 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: The correct choice depends entirely on your intended meaning. If you mean copying behavior or style, use imitated. If you mean suggesting something subtly or indirectly, use intimated. Both are valid English verbs, but they serve distinct purposes in communication and cannot be swapped without changing the sentence's core message.

The Short Answer

Both imitated and intimated are correct standard English verbs, but they describe completely different actions and should not be used interchangeably.

People confuse these words because they sound similar and share the same root structure, leading writers to mix up the concept of copying with the concept of hinting.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
Imitated	Correct	Describing the act of copying someone else's actions, style, or work.
Intimated	Correct	Describing the act of hinting at or suggesting something indirectly.
Imitate	Verb	You need to discuss mimicry, replication, or following a model.
Intimate	Verb	You need to discuss subtle communication, hints, or unspoken implications.

Correct Example Sentences

The young artist imitated the brushstrokes of the great masters to learn their techniques.
She did not say it directly but intimated that she might leave the company soon.
The actor imitated the president's speech patterns perfectly during the comedy routine.
He intimated his displeasure with the new policy by sighing loudly during the meeting.
Children often imitated their parents' mannerisms without even realizing they were doing so.
The manager intimated that a promotion was possible if performance improved significantly.
The student imitated the handwriting of his classmate to avoid being caught.
The witness intimated that he had seen something suspicious near the entrance.
The comedian imitated the voices of famous politicians to great applause from the crowd.
The letter intimated that further negotiations would be required before any final decision.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

She intimated her friend's singing style during the talent show.: She imitated her friend's singing style during the talent show.
He imitated that he would not be coming to the party.: He intimated that he would not be coming to the party.
The dog imitated a desire for treats by looking at the bowl.: The dog intimated a desire for treats by looking at the bowl.
They intimated the dance moves they learned from the video.: They imitated the dance moves they learned from the video.
She imitated her interest in the project by asking many questions.: She intimated her interest in the project by asking many questions.
The writer intimated the style of his favorite author in the novel.: The writer imitated the style of his favorite author in the novel.

A Quick Test You Can Use

Ask yourself if the subject is copying an action or hinting at a thought. If the sentence is about mimicry or replication, choose imitated. If it is about subtle suggestion or implication, choose intimated. This mental check will guide you to the right word every time.

Related Word Pairs

Affect vs Effect: Use affect as a verb for influence and effect as a noun for result.
Loose vs Lose: Use loose for not tight and lose for failing to win.
Compliment vs Complement: Use compliment for praise and complement for something that completes.
Principal vs Principle: Use principal for headmaster or main and principle for rule.
Stationary vs Stationery: Use stationary for not moving and stationery for writing paper.

More Example Sentences

The jazz musician imitated the unique sound of a broken saxophone to create a haunting melody.
She intimated through her silence that she disagreed with the proposal on the table.
Parrots are famous for imitating human speech with remarkable accuracy and timing.
The email intimated a change in leadership without naming the new executive director.
He imitated the famous actor's signature walk to entertain his friends at the dinner party.
The diplomat intimated that further sanctions might follow if negotiations stalled completely.
Young children often imitate the way their older siblings tie their shoelaces.
His subtle glance intimated that the meeting should end sooner than planned.
The dancer imitated the graceful movements of a swan on the lake during the performance.
She intimated that the budget cuts would affect every department in the organization.

Quick Practice

She that she would not be attending the conference next week.

intimated

The comedian could the voices of several famous movie stars.

imitate

His nervous laughter his discomfort with the awkward situation.

intimated

Monkeys often the actions of other animals in their troop.

imitate

The memo that the deadline had been extended by two days.

intimated

He tried to the signature of the CEO to forge the document.

imitate

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use imitated and intimated in the same sentence?

Yes, you can use both if the sentence describes someone copying an action while simultaneously hinting at a different meaning through their behavior or words.

Is intimated a formal word?

Yes, intimated is considered more formal and literary. In casual conversation, people usually say hinted or suggested instead of intimated.

What is the noun form of imitated?

The noun form is imitation. You use it to describe the act of copying or the copy itself, such as an imitation silk tie.

Why do people mix these up so often?

People mix them up because they sound similar and both start with 'int' or 'imit' in speech. The visual similarity in spelling also contributes to the frequent confusion.