Is 'emulate' formal or informal?

What's the difference between 'emulate' and 'imitate'?

How do I use 'emulate' in a sentence?

Is 'emulate' used in business writing?

← Dictionary

emulate

/ˈem.ju.leɪt/

IELTSAcademic

verb

Try to match or copy someone’s skill or style, often to improve yourself.

She studies her mentor to **emulate** their discipline.
He hopes to **emulate** their success in engineering.
Start-ups **emulate** big tech to grow faster.

Adinary Nuance

Near-neighbors: 'emulate' is stronger than 'imitate' and suggests improving by copying, while 'mirror' implies reflecting behavior exactly; 'follow' is more general. Choose 'emulate' when aiming to better yourself, not just copy.

In other languages

Spanish: Emular
Japanese: 模倣する
Korean: 모방하다
Vietnamese: Tranh giống
Chinese: 模仿

Etymology

Common phrases

emulate a role modelemulate best practicesemulate successful leaders

Synonyms

copy follow imitate match mirror

Related words

aspire follow imitate mirror model

Frequently asked questions

Is 'emulate' formal or informal?: Is 'emulate' formal or informal?
What's the difference between 'emulate' and 'imitate'?: What's the difference between 'emulate' and 'imitate'?
How do I use 'emulate' in a sentence?: How do I use 'emulate' in a sentence?
Is 'emulate' used in business writing?: Is 'emulate' used in business writing?