Emulate Definition, Examples & Usage Guide

Meaning 1：imitate to excel (emulate)

emulate 🔊

/ˈɛm.jʊ.leɪt/

vt.

To try to match or do better than someone, often by copying what they do well.

Rock climber emulating another climber's technique on a wall

imitate to excel 🔊

➕

/ˈɪm.ɪ.teɪt tuː ɪkˈsɛl/

vt.

To try to match or do better than someone, often by copying what they do well.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'aemulari' (to rival), from 'aemulus' (rival), with verb suffix -ate.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of an 'emu' that 'late' tries to sprint faster than other birds, always striving to match or beat their speed.

📖 Example

The tech startup is trying to emulate the successful business model of the market leader. 🔊 The tech startup is trying to emulate the successful business model of the market leader.

🔗 Collocations

emulate someone's success – to try to achieve the same level of success as someone

emulate a role model – to imitate and strive to be like a person admired for their qualities

emulate a style – to copy and try to match a particular manner or technique

🔄 Synonyms

imitate (vt.) – to follow as a model or pattern, often with the intent to equal or surpass

copy (vt.) – to reproduce something exactly, often seeking to match the original

rival (vt.) – to compete with or try to equal someone in quality or achievement

🚫 Antonyms

ignore (vt.) – to refuse to take notice of or acknowledge

neglect (vt.) – to fail to care for or pay attention to properly

dismiss (vt.) – to treat as unworthy of serious consideration

🌱 Derivatives

emulation (n.) – the act or instance of emulating; ambition to equal or surpass

emulative (adj.) – tending to imitate or rival

emulator (n.) – a person or thing that emulates

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'aemulus' meaning 'rival'. It entered English via Middle French in the 16th century, retaining the core idea of striving to equal or surpass someone through imitation, now common in business and tech.