WordGarden.iomime
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈaɪm/
US
- /ˈmaɪm/
Meanings
Noun
a performer or theatrical act that tells a story through silent gesture
the MIME standard used to label and encode message or file content types in computing
Verb
to act out or indicate something silently with gesture rather than speech
Beyond the definition
A mime is a performer who tells stories or shows actions through gestures, facial expressions, and body movement, without speaking. You can think of this kind of performer as a silent actor. You might see one pretending to be trapped in an invisible box or trying to walk through a strong wind. The verb mime also means to show an action silently, such as a child pretending to strum a guitar without making a sound.
The word comes from an old Greek word for an imitator or actor. Although many people connect it with street performers, it is also a serious stage art that takes a lot of control and practice. In everyday life, people also mime things when words are not practical, like moving a hand to the mouth to show that they want a drink.
The word "mime" centers on imitation and communication without spoken words. Most often, it means a performer who uses gestures, facial expressions, and body movement to show a story, a feeling, or a situation. Many people picture a street artist in white face paint pretending to lean on an invisible wall, but that image is only one version of the idea.
"Mime" can also be a verb. When someone mimes an action, they show it without actually doing it or without speaking. A child might mime brushing their teeth, a teacher might mime opening a book, or an actor might mime lifting a heavy box that is not really there. In this sense, the word is about silent imitation.
The term comes from ancient Greek and later Roman performance traditions connected with imitation and acting. Over time, mime developed into a recognized performance art, especially in theatre, where control of movement, timing, and expression became essential. Modern stage mime is strongly linked with silent storytelling and imagined objects, even though older forms were not always completely silent.
Today, the word can still refer both to the performer and to the action itself. You may come across it in theatre training, street performance, or ordinary daily situations where someone uses gestures instead of speech. Whether it describes an artist on a stage or a quick silent imitation in conversation, "mime" is about making meaning through movement.
Examples
- 1
Silent acting
The actor mimed opening a window that was not really there.
- 2
Silent message
From across the room, she mimed that she was ready to leave.
- Patternmime that + clause
communicate something with actions, without speaking
- 3
Street performer
He worked as a mime in the city square during the summer.
- 4
Comic imitation
In the film, the comedian mimes the teacher's strict walk and angry stare.
See also
Similar
- pantomimist
- silent performer
Shades of meaning
- mimic
- physical comedian
- impersonator
Contrast
- vocal performer
Do not confuse
- MIME acronym
Used with (collocations)
- street mime
- mime artist
- mime act
- mime performance
Word family
Explore
- pantomime
- nonverbal communication
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- mimenounverb
Forms
- miming-ing formverbnoun
- mimespluralnounverb
- mimedpast tenseverbnoun