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emulate

EM-yoo-leyt /ˈɛmjʊˌleɪt/

verbC1GRESATGMATUPSC

academicprofessionalliterary

To match or surpass a person or achievement, typically by imitation.

A positive form of rivalry. It means to copy someone not out of laziness, but out of deep respect, with the goal of equaling or exceeding their greatness.

The story behind the word. Emulate comes from the Latin 'aemulatus', the past participle of 'aemulari', meaning 'to rival or equal'. It is closely tied to 'aemulus', meaning 'striving to excel'. In Roman culture, emulating ancestors was considered a core civic duty.

Word relationships

imitate: Imitate is simply to copy actions, whereas emulate is to copy out of admiration with an ambition to equal them.
mimic: Mimic often implies copying for amusement, mockery, or superficial reproduction.

neglect: To neglect is to ignore a model or standard completely rather than trying to match it.
pioneer: To pioneer is to create an entirely new path rather than following and matching an existing model.

Commonly confused with

simulate: Emulate means to try to equal a person; simulate means to mimic a physical process or condition.

Word family

emulation (noun): Effort to match or surpass a person or achievement.
emulative (adjective): Involving or characterized by emulation.

Collocations

emulate the success
try to emulate
emulate a style
worthy of emulation

Example sentences

"He tried to emulate his father's career as a surgeon, spending long hours studying medical journals." Career mentorship

Memory hook

To EMULATE is to try to be like an EM-peror or a great role model. Imitating to equal or excel.

When not to use

Do not use when you are simply copying someone's homework or plagiarizing; emulation requires a desire for self-improvement.

Fun facts

In computer science, an 'emulator' is hardware or software that permits one computer system to behave like another, matching its functions exactly.