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The student "loosely mirrored" the moves of the dance instructor, trying his best to mimic the motions.

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    What is wrong with "loosely mirrored"? It seems to capture the correct sense better than any of the suggestions so far.
    – Hot Licks
    Commented Apr 28, 2016 at 12:00

5 Answers 5

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To imply a less than perfect imitation, you might use 'aped':

The student aped the moves of the dance instructor, trying his best to mimic the motions.

Dictionary.com: verb (used with object), aped, aping. 5. to imitate; mimic: to ape another's style of writing.

Personally, I might consider that 'aped' and 'lumbered' (suggested by Phil) are both a little insulting to the subject, as they both suggest a lack of grace.

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Given the context, I would probably use a form of "followed", due to particular usage in dance contexts, and reference to movement/motion.

The student followed the moves of the dance instructor, trying his best to mimic the motions.

  1. To come or go after, proceed behind.

3b. To go in the direction of; be guided by.

  1. To take as a model or precedent; imitate.

(American Heritage Dictionary, 2004)

Another option, though it doesn't seem to fit quite the same way, might be "copied" as in

The student copied the moves of the dance instructor, trying his best to mimic the motions.

  1. To follow as a model or pattern.

(American Heritage Dictionary, 2004)

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Below are two candidates. The first one is a verb. The second is a noun.

Miscopy:

Copy (something) incorrectly.

[Oxford Online Dictionary]

Ersatz

[Merriam-Webster]

copied from something else and usually not as good as the original

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  • @Rathony thanks. Always appreciated. I must have made mistakes.
    – vickyace
    Commented Jun 6, 2016 at 12:27
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The student lumbered [through] the moves of the dance instructor, trying his best to mimic the motions.

: to move ponderously

"Lumber." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.

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    Anyone care to explain the downvote?
    – Phil Sweet
    Commented Apr 28, 2016 at 14:05
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The student monkeyed the moves of the dance instructor

monkey

: to imitate; ape; mimic.

Random House

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  • That is a rare definition of "monkey". Most people would understand it to mean "manipulate".
    – Hot Licks
    Commented Jun 6, 2016 at 11:35

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