Simulacrum

Simulacrum

ˌsimyəˈlākrəm

Noun

  • An image or representation of someone or something.
  • An unsatisfactory imitation or substitute.

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Example Sentences

“My mother’s birthday cake was a small simulacrum of the Eiffel Tower.”

“The farmer makes a simulacrum of famous structures in a corn maze every fall.”

“I asked the artist for a mural of Monet’s ‘Water Lilies,’ but the simulacrum looked more like a swamp.”

Word Origin

Latin, late 16th century

Why this word?

“Simulacrum” comes from the Latin verb “simulare,” meaning “to pretend.” Modern usage of “simulacrum” often means a simulacrum is a poor substitute or imitation for an original, but historically, it meant a representation of figures, especially gods. For example, Annie Leibovitz is a famous portrait photographer, known for producing dramatic and engaging simulacrums of her subjects.