Aping
/ˈeɪpɪŋ/
verbBeginner📊CommonGeneral
1 meaning1 question
Definitions
1
To imitate or mimic, often in a servile or unoriginal way.
/ˈeɪpɪŋ/
verbnegativeBeginner
General
To imitate or mimic someone's actions or mannerisms.
Stop aping my mannerisms!
💡 Simply: To copy someone in a silly way.
More Examples
2
The comedian made his living by aping famous people.
How It's Used
Everyday Conversation
"He was aping the teacher's style of speaking."
Children's Behavior
"The younger child was aping his older brother's behavior."
From the verb "ape", ultimately from Old English "ape", of unknown origin, possibly related to Old High German "apfo" (monkey). The -ing suffix indicates the present participle.
Historically, the word 'ape' and subsequently 'aping' has carried a connotation of mockery and inferiority, highlighting the imitative nature often associated with apes.
Memory tip
Think of an ape imitating a human.
Word Origin
Original meaning
"monkey"
Base: ape
aping someone's styleaping the behavior
Common misspellings
apinggapeing
Practice
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written