emulate

Pronunciation: EM-yoo-layt

verb

Difficulty: common

Definition of emulate

emulate (verb): To strive to equal or excel, often by imitating someone or something admired, with the intention of matching or surpassing the original.

Example: Aspiring writers often emulate the styles of literary greats like Hemingway or Austen to develop their own voice.

Best for: common-difficulty vocabulary; learners who already know "imitate" or "mirror"; GRE Verbal (Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence); SAT Reading & Writing (Words in Context).

Origin of emulate

Language of origin: Latin

Root word: aemulari

Original meaning: to rival, to strive to equal

How it evolved: Initially associated with rivalry, the word softened over time to imply imitation out of respect or aspiration rather than conflict.

Derived from the Latin word 'aemulari', meaning 'to rival' or 'to strive to equal', the word evolved to suggest an element of admiration alongside competition.

First known use: 16th century

How to Remember emulate

Think of 'emulate' as 'imitate to elevate'—you copy someone to rise to or surpass their level.

Synonyms for emulate

Antonyms of emulate

emulate in a Sentence

  1. Aspiring writers often emulate the styles of literary greats like Hemingway or Austen to develop their own voice.
  2. The young scientist sought to emulate her mentor's groundbreaking research in renewable energy.
  3. Startups frequently emulate the strategies of successful tech giants in hopes of achieving similar success.

emulate in Literature & Culture

The concept of emulation is prominent in self-help literature and motivational speeches, where individuals are encouraged to emulate successful role models to achieve personal growth.

Usage Notes

Unlike 'imitate', which focuses on replication, 'emulate' often connotes admiration and an aspirational quality, making it more positive in tone. Avoid confusing it with 'simulate,' which implies imitation without intent to surpass.

Why emulate Matters for GRE & SAT

This word is frequently used in GRE reading passages to describe individuals or groups striving to achieve greatness through imitation. Understanding its nuanced meaning can help test-takers accurately interpret complex texts.

Word Family

emulation (noun)
The effort or desire to equal or surpass someone or something.
emulative (adjective)
Characterized by the desire to imitate or equal.
emulator (noun)
A person or thing that emulates or imitates.

Did You Know?

  • The word 'emulate' has been used in contexts ranging from ancient rivalries to modern technology, where 'emulators' are software programs that mimic hardware systems.
  • Steve Jobs famously said, 'Good artists copy, great artists steal,' a phrase often associated with the concept of emulation in innovation.
  • In medieval Europe, knights would emulate the ideals of chivalry by modeling their behavior on legendary figures like King Arthur.

More Vocabulary Words Starting with E

  • ebullient — cheerful and joyful
  • ebullient — cheerful and joyful
  • eccentric — deviating from conventional behavior; quirky
  • eccentric — deviating from conventional behavior; quirky
  • echelon — a level or tier within a system or organization
  • echelon — a level or tier within a system or organization
  • eclectic — Deriving ideas or style from a broad and diverse range of sources
  • eclectic — derived from a diverse range of sources or styles
  • eclectic — derived from a diverse range of sources or styles
  • eclipse — overshadow or surpass